OXFORD, Ohio - The Cleveland State volleyball team split its matches on the first day of action at the 2023 Miami/Best Western Invitational, falling to FAU 3-0 before earning a 3-2 victory over Miami (OH).

After dropping the opening match of the weekend against FAU, the Vikings rebounded with a five-set victory over the host Redhawks.

The two teams traded wins in the first four sets, forcing a fifth and deciding frame.

The Vikings were able to gain the momentum right away in the fifth set, as four straight points gave Cleveland State a quick 4-0 lead on a Liberty Torres kill. Cleveland State then extended its lead to 6-1 on a Karly Klaer kill, before earning a 10-4 advantage on back-to-back points from a Nia Hall and Madison Olinger block and Laken Voss kill.

Cleveland State was then able to hold the lead throughout the rest of the frame, including posting the final four points of the set to earn the 15-9 victory on a Torres and Ainslie McLaughlin block.

Voss led the Viking offense against the Redhawks with 17 kills, while Torres added 16 kills on the match and Mclaughlin chipped in nine kills on a .500 hitting percentage (9-1-16).

With 41 assists on the match, Klaer eclipsed the 1,000-assist mark for her career, ending the day with 1,014 career helpers.

Emma Walker led the Viking defense with 33 digs, while Klaer and Reilly Wadden both added 12 digs each.

McLaughlin tallied a team-best four blocks, while Torres and Olinger both added three blocks.

The Vikings will close out the 2023 Miami/Best Western Invitational tomorrow when they face Eastern Kentucky at 2:00 p.m.