Oct. 1, 2005
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Ohio volleyball team spoiled Eastern Michigan's homecoming by sweeping the Eagles 3-0 (30-28, 30-26, 30-24) here tonight.
The Bobcats remain unbeaten in conference play and extend their game winning streak to 18 with the win. Ohio improves to 14-2 overall and 4-0 in the Mid-American Conference while Eastern Michigan falls to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in MAC action.
Holly Schetzsle (Pataskala, Ohio) led four Bobcats in double-digit kills with 15. Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) added 13 kills while Julia Winkfield (Newark, Ohio) recorded 12 and Amanda Andersen (Lino Lakes, Minn.) matched her career-high with 11 kills.
Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) assisted on 53 of Ohio's 61 kills and narrowly missed a double-double with nine digs. Michaele Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the Bobcat back row with 15 digs while Stephanie Blackburn added 14 for her seventh double-double of the year.
The opening frame went back and forth with 13 ties and four lead changes. Ohio trailed early, falling behind 13-9, but went on a 6-2 run to even the score at 15. The frame remained close until the end with neither team grabbing a lead greater then two the rest of the way. The Bobcats stepped up in the final moments of the game with Andersen, Schetzsle and Stephanie Blackburn each putting away a kill in leading Ohio to a 30-28 game one win.
The Bobcats jumped on the Eagles early in the second frame, scoring the first five points behind Parra's serving. Ohio pushed the lead to a game-high eight points at 22-14 and Eastern Michigan was unable to counter. Stephanie Blackburn concluded the second frame with a kill to give the Bobcats a 30-26 win.
Ohio once again used a strong start to its advantage in taking the third and final game. The Bobcats gained a 10-5 edge following a Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) block and never looked back. The Eagles fought back to even the score at 18, 20 and 21 but Ohio was too tough down the stretch. The Bobcats finished off Eastern Michigan with a 9-3 run to take the third frame 30-24.
The Bobcats hit .321 for the match, marking the ninth match they have eclipsed the .300 mark this season. The Ohio defense held the Eagles to a .232 hitting percentage.
The Bobcats will be in action next when they host Ball State Friday and Toledo Saturday. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
