Aug. 25, 2006
Final Stats
MADISON, Wis. - Facing the highest-ranked opponent in school history, the No. 15 Ohio volleyball squad fell in defeat to defending national champion No. 3 Washington Friday evening in the AVCA College Volleyball Showcase by scores of 31-29, 30-22, 30-26.
The Bobcats (0-1) got 10 kills apiece from junior Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) and freshman Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio), but it was not enough as they were swept for the first time since Sept. 16, 2005 by Purdue. Senior Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) totaled 39 assists while junior Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the squad with 21 digs. With the 3-0 defeat of Ohio, Washington (0-1) has not lost a single game in 10 matches dating back to last year, including a spotless run to the 2005 NCAA Tournament. All-America setter Courtney Thompson racked up 52 assists in the victory while Stevie Mussie led four Huskies in double-figure kills with 14.
The Bobcats and Huskies were playing at a near dead heat in the first game from the opening serve, with various ties and lead changes through the bulk of the frame. Trailing 27-24, Herman registered two kills and a block as the Bobcats reeled off five of the game's next six points to give Ohio a 29-28 lead. Serving for game point, the Bobcats were unable to get the final tally and Washington scored three-straight points to take the game 31-29.
Washington carried that momentum over to the second game, running out to a 5-1 lead to force an early Ohio timeout. The Bobcats chipped away at the Huskies early advantage and eventually knotted the score at 7-7. Midway through the match, however, Washington had run out to a six-point lead at 17-11. Despite a few small runs by Ohio, that advantage would be all the Huskies would need as they captured the second frame 30-22.
The third game proved to be another see-saw battle, with more than two-straight points scored for either side a rarity early on. Trailing 16-15, the Bobcats registered three points in a row to force a Washington timeout with an 18-16 lead. The Huskies then stormed out of the timeout to score the game's next three points to take a lead that they would ultimately not relinquish as they turned in a match-clinching 30-26 game three victory.
The Bobcats will play in Saturday's consolation match at 6 p.m. ET. Ohio will face tournament host No. 9 Wisconsin, who was swept by No. 8 Texas 30-28, 30-18, 30-22. All of Saturday's action from the UW Field House will be carried live on CSTV, marking the first-ever appearance by the Ohio volleyball squad on national television.
