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MUNCIE, Ind. -- The third-seeded Ohio volleyball team (11-18, 11-7 MAC) begins play at the 2021 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Sunday night when the Bobcats take on No. 6 Northern Illinois (16-12, 10-8 MAC). Match time is set for 7 p.m. inside Worthen Arena on the campus of Ball State. 

Ball State University will host the 2021 Mid-American Conference Volleyball Tournament starting today. The quarterfinals are set for Sunday (Nov. 21), while the semifinals will take place Monday (Nov. 22). The Championship Match will be held on Wednesday (Nov. 24).Each of the three Championship dates will require a separate ticket, and you can purchase and download your tickets instantly via the following website -- CLICK HERE

The Bobcats enter the tournament at 11-18 overall and an 11-7 mark in MAC play after finishing the regular season third in the conference. In their lone meeting this season, the Bobcats swept NIU in DeKalb, Ill. on Oct. 30. 

Three Bobcats earned All-MAC honors for their play this season. Fifth year opposite hitter Maggie Nedoma (Brook Park, Ohio) was named to the All-MAC First Team while sophomore outside hitter Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio) was named to both the All-MAC First Team and All-Freshman Team. Additionally, defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) earned a spot on the All-MAC Second Team.

The Bobcats are led by Nedoma who started 16 of the 17 conference matches, the opposite hitter has contributed her talents to the Bobcats' offense and defense. Nedoma is a conference leader in kills, reaching 1,000 in her career through the 207 she has pocketed this season. Additionally, she currently averages 3.04 kills per set. Meanwhile, Nedoma has aided Ohio's defense by collecting 25 block assists and 4 block solos. In addition to her 29 total blocks, she has collected 53 digs.

Also leading the Bobcats is Clippard who leads the true freshman in kills with a total of 240. Additionally, the outside hitter ranks sixth overall in kills with an average of 3.53 per set. Clippard has been an asset to the Bobcats' defense as well, recording 18 blocks (4 solos, 14 assists) and 36 digs. She has also been honored as a MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week.

Meanwhile, Steele has led Ohio's defense as the starting libero for all 17 conference matches. Steele comes second in the conference for digs, with a total of 380 and an average of 5.59 per set. The libero recorded 494 reception attempts and holds a reception percentage of .949. Additionally, the sophomore has tallied 53 assists and a team-high of 17 service aces this season. Recently, Steele achieved the first double-double of her career, registering 30 digs and 10 assists. Steele's defensive contributions have also allowed her to secure the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week in week four.

With a win, the Bobcats will take on No. 2 Bowling Green on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. The Bobcats defeated Bowling Green, 3-2, on Nov. 13 on Senior Day in Athens.  

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