Oct. 8, 2005
Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio volleyball team recorded a season-high 15 blocks in sweeping Toledo 3-0 (30-23, 30-22, 30-22) here tonight.
The Bobcats extend their home winning streak to 34 matches and extend their game winning streak to 24 with their eighth consecutive sweep. Ohio improves to 16-2 overall and 6-0 in MAC action while the Rockets fall to 11-7 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
The Ohio defense saw numerous personal season and career-highs to go along with the team season-best total of 15. Julia Winkfield (Newark, Ohio) led the Bobcats with a season-best seven total blocks. Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) recorded six blocks, all assisted, destroying her previous career mark of two total blocks. Amanda Andersen (Lino Lakes, Minn.) tallied a career-best six blocks and Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) set a season-best mark with four assisted blocks.
"We've been working a lot on blocking," Head Coach Geoff Carlston said. "Technically, we had a little more discipline with our timing and getting our hands over the net."
Winkfield led the offensive attack as well, pacing Ohio with 13 kills, while Griffin added 10. The Bobcats hit .325 for the match, marking the fourth straight time Ohio has hit over .300 and the eighth time in the last nine matches.
Parra set the Bobcats attack for the majority of the match, assisting on 31 kills, and posted her second consecutive double-double with 10 digs. Michaele Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the back row defense with 17 digs and moved into fourth place on Ohio's all-time digs list with 1,213. Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) added 11.
The two teams exchanged points in the opening frame when Ohio ran off three consecutive points to grab a 9-6 lead. The Bobcats added a 4-0 run later to grab a 19-12 lead but Toledo countered with an 10-4 run to close to within one at 23-22. Ohio would not let go of its lead, though, scoring seven of the final eight points to take the first game 30-23.
The Bobcats jumped out a big lead in the second frame, gaining a 10-2 edge with Winkfield contributing four kills during the stretch. Ohio continued to add to the lead, grabbing a 25-10 lead following a Stephanie Blackburn kill. Toledo made the match interesting, running off eight straight points to close the gap to 25-18. In the end, the Bobcats were too much, taking the second frame 30-22.
The third and final game saw Parra go down with an injury early in the frame but Ohio marched on behind the play of Jill DeArmond (Ft. Wayne, Ind.). Parra left the game with the Bobcats leading 10-7 but Ohio was able to increase its lead to 16-9 moments later.
The Bobcats kept the pressure on the rest of the way with the Rockets getting no closer than five points. Ohio concluded the match in fitting fashion, with Griffin and Winkfield stuffing out Toledo's final attack and giving the Bobcats a 30-22 game three win. DeArmond finished the game with four kills on four attempts and seven assists.
Parra tweaked an ankle she has had surgery on in the past but will be fine. The absence of Parra allowed DeArmond to step up and she filled the role.
"I think it was good for the team to see Jill be able to come in and run the show," Carlston said. "It gives the team confidence that we have two people able to come in and set a good offense."
Ohio will be in action next when it travels to Buffalo and Akron next weekend. The Bobcats play Buffalo Friday at 6 p.m. and Akron Saturday at 7 p.m.
