Sept. 12, 2014

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CINCINNATI -- The Ohio University volleyball team (4-3) ran its winning streak to three straight, sweeping by host Xavier University (5-2), 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20), in the 2014 Millennium Hotel Invitational on Friday (Sept. 12) at the Cintas Center.

"I think both teams at times weren’t playing their best," said first-year head coach Deane Webb. "On one hand, you can get a little frustrated with that, and, on the other hand, it means that both teams did a good job scouting the other team. It was a close match, and every game was close until very late (in the set)." 

Senior outside hitter Kelly Lamberti (Cary, Ill.) and freshman outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek (Chargrin Falls, Ohio) led Ohio with 11 kills each. Lamberti was one dig away from a double-double with nine and posted her fifth consecutive match with double-digit kills. Kosiorek aced the Musketeers with a match-high three, and grabbed double-digit kills for the third time this season.

"I think this was one of her more complete nights," said Webb of Kosiorek. "She made a lot of really good decisions out there and served well. It was definitely one of her better nights so far." 

Junior middle blocker/outside hitter Shelby Walker (Bradenton, Fla.) was right behind in the kill column on the stat sheet, piercing seven kills in ten attempts with a hitting percentage of .700. Junior setter Abby Gilleland (Bull Valley, Ill.) led the Bobcats in assists with 37, while junior libero Meredith Ashy (Louisville, Kentucky) recorded 15 digs. Both were match highs.

Ohio took their first lead in the opening set when Gilleland dumped a two-handed push kill to make it a 9-8 lead. After the two squads traded points, Kosiorek grabbed her first ace of the night, giving the 'Cats their second lead in the first set. Two plays later, Walker broke another tie with a kill, starting a 6-2 Bobcat run before the Musketeers took a timeout with the score at 20-15. The timeout helped Xavier, as they put on a 7-5 run to force an Ohio timeout with the Bobcats sitting on game point, 24-22. A service error on the Musketeers granted Ohio the first set victory, 25-22.

Kosiorek gave Ohio a two-point advantage to start of the second set with a kill and an ace, but back-to-back errors by the Bobcats turned the tide to a 4-2 Xavier lead. Ohio flirted with regaining the lead a few times, but Xavier was quick to respond. Ohio jumped back in front, 8-7, on a kill by junior middle blocker Karin Bull (Bloomington, Minnesota). Momentum continued to shift back and forth between both teams, having three ties and four lead changes until Kosiorek’s second ace came about, forcing Xavier to call a timeout with Ohio leading, 19-18. Kosiorek ended the set with a big swing, giving Ohio a 2-0 match lead with a 25-23 victory in the second set.

Redshirt senior middle blocker/outside hitter Hannah Burkle (Crystal Lake, Ill.) started off the third set strong for the 'Cats, giving them two consecutive kills to open things up. Another kill by Bull made it 14-13 and forced Xavier to take a timeout. After the timeout, Ohio went on a 5-1 run until committing back-to-back errors. From there, two Xavier service errors and a strong offensive effort guided Ohio to a 25-20 victory, painting the match Green & White.

Ohio takes on Ohio State University on Saturday (Sept. 13) at 10 a.m. ET, then closes out its stay at the 2014 Millennium Hotel Invitational 4:30 p.m. ET against Syracuse University.

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