Sept. 1, 2007
Box Score
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Ohio volleyball team defeated its highest ranked opponent in program history Friday evening, outlasting the ninth-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers in five games, 24-30, 31-29, 18-30, 30-27 and 15-13, in the Diet Coke Classic. The Bobcats improve to 3-0 with the victory, while the Golden Gophers fall to 1-1 on the season.
"Tonight we were able to get a great win against an incredible program," said Ohio Head Coach Geoff Carlston. "This is a huge win for Ohio and I am extremely proud of the team and how they continued battling for the big points all night."
Sophomore outside hitter Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio) led Ohio with her second double-double of the season, posting a match-high 25 kills and 12 digs, to go with three service aces. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) collected a double-double of her own with 10 kills and 14 digs for the Bobcats, while senior middle blocker Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) had 12 kills and three blocks in the victory. Junior setter Jill DeArmond (Fort Wayne, Ind.) set a career-high with 58 assists to go with a career-high eight digs.
The score was tied 10-10 to begin the first game, as both teams exchanged points to start the match. Minnesota gained its first substantial lead, going on an 8-3 run to take an 18-13 advantage. Ohio responded immediately with a 4-1 spurt of its own, capped off by a kill and a service ace by Herman, cutting Minnesota's lead to 19-17. The game remained close and the Bobcats trailed by just a point at 23-22, but Ohio was never able to regain the lead. The Golden Gophers won seven of the final nine points to take the first, 30-24.
The Bobcats showed their resilience in the second game, falling behind 2-9 and then 5-12 before making a remarkable comeback to win, 31-29. Ohio took its first lead at 25-24, but Minnesota got back in front when Lauren Gibbemeyer's kill gave the Golden Gophers a 28-27 lead. Herman then connected on a kill, followed by an attack error by Gibbemeyer, putting Ohio in front 29-28. Minnesota's Rachel Hartman tied the game one more time with a kill, but Blackburn and Herman supplied the final two kills of the game to pull out the 31-29 win.
"We fell behind early, but we were able to get some points and build some energy and then we finished it off," said Carlston. "I was very impressed with the heart our team showed."
In the third game the Bobcats were unable to mount a comeback, as an 11-10 deficit quickly turned to a 17-11 disadvantage and the Golden Gophers never looked back, winning pulling away 30-18.
Prior to the fourth game Carlston made a lineup change, bringing in freshman outside hitter Sue Jacobi (Louisville, Ky.) and switching Blackburn to libero. The new lineup sparked the Bobcats, as they went on to win a close fourth game 30-27 and then took the final game 15-13 for one of the biggest victories in the program's history.
"Sue came in and was huge for us tonight," said Carlston. "She was able to make some big contributions and bring a lot of energy to our team." Jacobi had eight kills on a team-high .312 hitting percentage to go along with four digs.
The highest ranked opponent Ohio had defeated prior to tonight was No. 16 Tennessee during the 2005 season.
Ohio faces another ranked opponent in the Diet Coke Classic tomorrow, when it takes the court against No. 12 San Diego at 2 p.m. ET.
"This is the kind of win that you would like to enjoy, but we have to immediately refocus for tomorrow's game," said Carlston. "Having to play another outstanding team after a big victory tonight will be a great test."
