RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- Following a three-match homestand, the Midway women's volleyball team opened a two-match road swing on Friday (Sept. 30) when they battled Rio Grande (Ohio) inside Newt Oliver Arena.

The Eagles got a big-time performance from Aubry Koester (Apple Valley, Calif.) as they picked up their first road River States Conference victory of the season with a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-19, 25-22).

With the win, the Eagles improve to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in league play, while the RedStorm fall to 7-7 overall and 1-2 in RSC play following the loss.

Koester – who was named the River States Conference Attacker of the Week on Monday – led the offensive attack for the Eagles with a match-high 19 kills. The sophomore also recorded a .224 hitting clip in the win.

The opening set was a back-and-forth bout until the Eagles seized control with a 3-1 run to take a 23-20 edge. Two plays later, Hannah Brink (Greenville, Mich.) put down a kill to help seal the 25-21 win in the opening set.

Midway had their offense rolling in the second set where they posted a match-best .281 hitting percentage. The visitors sprinted to a 6-1 lead and never looked back as they never trailed before taking a 2-0 lead behind the 25-19 victory.

The third frame saw the RedStorm tie the set at 17 following a kill by Jess Youse. Midway held a 20-17 lead on the heels of a 3-0 run but were forced to call a quick timeout after Rio tied the set once again at 20. The Eagles answered with a 5-2 run to clinch the sweep with the 25-22 win in the final stanza.

Anju Sugiya (Tokyo, Japan) posted a terrific all-around performance with 11 kills, a .450 hitting clip and 10 digs. Hannah Brink, meanwhile, added seven kills and a .308 attacking clip.

Pilar Daugherty (Las Cruces, N.M.) dished out 33 assists and picked up eight digs in the win, while Mariana Rodriguez (Houston, Texas) led the defensive effort with 12 digs.

Jonea Rima's club will return to action on Saturday when they battle West Virginia Tech at noon ET.

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