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Score: Ohio 3, Western Michigan 1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23)
Location: Kalamazoo, Mich. (University Arena)
Records: Ohio (19-3, 9-0), Western Michigan (10-14, 6-3)
Short Story: Ohio volleyball (19-3, 9-0) outlasted Western Michigan (10-14, 6-3) in Kalamazoo 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23) on Friday (Oct. 23) behind Shelby Walker’s match-high 13 kills and five total blocks (two solo).

THE BASICS:
- Ohio was led by senior middle blocker Shelby Walker (Bradenton, Fla.) with 13 kills along and five total blocks (two solo). Walker hit .279 for the match.
- Senior setter Abby Gilleland (Bull Valley, Ill.) posted a match-high 46 assists along with 13 digs and five kills.
- Senior libero Meredith Ashy (Louisville, Ky.) compiled a match-high 25 digs and six assists.
- Sophomore outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) totaled 12 kills and 13 digs as well as an ace.
- Redshirt freshman Katie Nelson (Regina, Saskatchewan) had 10 kills along with four block assists.
- Sophomore outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) finished with 12 kills and 13 digs on the night.
- Junior outside hitter/libero Mallory Salis (Oak Lawn, Ill.) posted seven kills and seven digs for the match.
- Redshirt sophomore Ali Lake (Liberty Township, Ohio) totaled six kills and four total blocks (two solo).
- Western Michigan was led by redshirt junior outside hitter Mikaela Ryshytylo with 12 kills. Junior setter Alysia Baznik posted her fifth straight double-double with a team-high 40 assists and 19 digs. Freshman libero Hailey Knecht compiled a team-high 20 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Ohio opened the match with full control of the first set. Nelson rallied off three kills during a 6-0 Bobcats run to put Ohio up 6-2 to start. Two more kills from Kosiorek and Shelby Walker forced Western Michigan to take their first timeout. The Green and White controlled the rest of the set, taking care of WMU the rest of the way.
- The second changed the attitude of the match with its numerous ties and lead changes. Western Michigan took their first lead of the night after an attack error by Ohio. Trailing 11-9, Ohio took advantage of a kill from Shelby Walker and three WMU attack errors to regain the lead at 13-11. The Broncos called for a timeout, and soon fell behind to Ohio 14-11. WMU fought back and tied the set 14 all after three straight kills. Both teams traded points, and the set was tied at 21. WMU hopped on a small 4-1 run to take the second set.
- Ohio and Western Michigan kept trading points back and forth after intermission. Tied at 8, the Bobcats went on a 6-1 run thanks to kills by Nelson, Shelby Walker and Kosiorek. WMU battled back, and tied the set at 15. After this, the set saw 8 ties and six lead changes. At 22 all, the Broncos committed two errors, and Kosiorek’s kill ended the set.
- Western Michigan opened up a 17-8 lead in the fourth set by taking advantage of the Bobcat’s offensive struggles. Ohio clawed their way back slowly, by putting together a small 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 17-13. Western Michigan called for time for regrouped, but Ohio kept fighting. Trailing 20-16, the ‘Cats hopped on another 4-1 run thanks to offensive attacks from Salis, Lake and Nelson. Ohio fell behind again 22-20, but forced three Western Michigan errors to take the set.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Ohio has now won 12 straight, 14 of their last 15, and 33 straight Mid-American Conference regular season matches.
- Shelby Walker posted double-digit kills for the sixth time this year and seventh time in her career.
- Kosiorek grabbed her ninth double-double of the season and in her career, along with her 16th double-digit kill game, and 30th of her career. She also posted double-digit digs for the 10th time this season.
- Gilleland achieved her 11th double-double of 2015, and 36th of her career. She recorded double-digit assists for the 22nd time this season and 114th time in her career, along with double-digit digs for the 13th time this season and 41st time in her career.
- Ashy compiled double-digit digs for the 20th time this year and 104th time in her career. She is now 55 digs away from Ohio’s all-time career digs record.

QUOTABLE:
“Good to get another road win in conference.  Very impressed with how hard WMU played tonight â€" they’re down a couple of starters, and their competitive intensity was incredible.  They truly pushed us all the way through the match, and our team showed considerable poise in coming back from a huge deficit in the 4th set.  Shelby had a great match, and we’re enjoying watching her continued development as an outside.  Now we’re looking forward to playing a great NIU team tomorrow.” - head coach Deane Webb

WHAT’S NEXT:
Ohio will face Northern Illinois tomorrow night in another key conference match-up on the road with first serve at 7 p.m. CST. You can tune into the match online at OhioBobcats.com.

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