Sept. 8, 2006

Box Score

STONY BROOK, N.Y. - Freshman Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio) registered a team high 21 kills as No. 17 Ohio defeated Maryland, 3-1 (31-29, 26-30, 30-23, 30-22) in the first match of the Holiday Inn Express Volleyball Invitational in Stony Brook, N.Y.

Junior outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 17 kills and 20 digs. Junior Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) chipped in 12 kills on the match and sophomore Amanda Andersen (Lino Lakes, Minn.) posted 11 kills.

Senior setter Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) totaled a season-best 55 assists while senior Janice Matacic (Liberty Township, Ohio) and sophomore Molly Mangan (Temecula, Calif.) highlighted Ohio's defense with 12 and 10 digs, respectively.

The Bobcats recorded six service aces and noted 70 kills to Maryland's 53.

Maryland was led by Jade Brown with 20 kills and 14 digs.

The score was tied 13 times in game one; including four times before the Bobcats took a 9-5 lead. After nine more ties the game was knotted at 29-29. A Maryland service error put the Bobcats up 30-29 and a kill by Blackburn sealed the win 31-29.

The teams traded points to start out game two, which had eight ties. Maryland took control at 8-7 and maintained the lead for the 30-26 win. The Terrapins out-hit the Bobcats .302 to .186.

Ohio took the lead early in game three and led by ten points on four occasions. Down by eight at 20-12 Maryland went on a 6-0 run to come within five at 23-18. The Terrapins came within five points six more times until Ohio took advantage of a Maryland error and recorded two kills to win the game 30-23.

Game four started out the same as game two; including seven ties and three lead changes. The Bobcats had 18 digs and held Maryland to a .147 hitting percentage. A late 5-0 run gave the Bobcats match-point at 29-20 and a Griffin kill lifted the Bobcats to a 30-22 win.

The Bobcats return to action tonight to take on Stony Brook at 7:30 p.m.