Dec. 2, 2005
Box Score | Photo Gallery
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio volleyball team rebounded from a game one loss to defeat Southeastern Conference foe Alabama 3-1 (28-30, 30-18, 30-22, 30-23) to move on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
"We're pretty excited to get a chance to play for the Sweet 16," Head Coach Geoff Carlston said. "We're happy to get out of here with a win."
The Bobcats have now won their last 24 matches to improve to 32-2 on the year. The 32 wins matches Western Michigan's 1983 squad for most wins by a Mid-American Conference program in a single season. Alabama, making its first ever tournament appearance, concludes its season with a 23-11 record.
Middle blockers Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) and Amanda Andersen (Lino Lakes, Minn.) paced the Bobcat attack. Griffin finished with a match-high 16 kills to go along with four blocks. Andersen added 12 kills on a team-best .321 hitting percentage and set a career-high with eight total blocks, four of the solo variety.
Julia Winkfield (Newark, Ohio) added 13 kills and Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) nine. Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) set the Ohio offense with 50 helpers and added a team-high two service aces.
Stephanie and Michelle Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) teamed up to lead a solid defensive effort from the Bobcats. Stephanie Blackburn set a new career-mark with 21 digs while Michaele added 17. Parra tallied 14 digs for her team-leading 14th double-double of the year. Ohio held Alabama to only one service ace, marking the 11th time this year the Bobcats have held an opponent to one or fewer aces.
The Bobcats showed some resiliency following the game one loss in controlling the second frame throughout. Ohio stormed out to an 11-4 lead and did not allow the Crimson Tide to come within three the rest of the way. The Bobcats used a late 5-0 run to gain a game-high 13 point advantage at 28-15. Andersen's fourth kill of the game gave Ohio a 30-18 win.
Ohio carried the game two momentum over into the third frame, gaining an early 8-1 edge on Alabama. The Bobcats kept the pressure on, leading by at least five points for the remainder of the game. Andersen once again put the finishing touches on the Tide, putting away a Parra pass to give Ohio the game three win.
Alabama would not go away easy in the deciding fourth frame, grabbing a 6-3 lead in the early goings. The Bobcats fought their back to tie the game at nine before the Tide retook the lead at 10-9. Ohio ran off four straight points to take a 13-10 lead it would not relinquish.
The Bobcats embarked on a 7-0 run midway through the frame behind Griffin's serving to gain a 22-12 advantage. Alabama closed to within five at 28-23 but Ohio scored the final two points, the final point coming on a Stephanie Blackburn solo block.
"The first time we played here (NCAA Tournament) we were nervous and let the other team control tempo," Winkfield said. "Today we were more focused."
Parra believes the team is more focused this year. "We all understand what is at stake here," she said. "The first year we were all bright-eyed and happy to be here but now we know we can do much more."
Ohio moves on to play Ohio State in Saturday's second round. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in St. John Arena.
