Muncie, Ind. – The third-seeded Ohio volleyball team (12-18, 11-7 MAC) swept No. 6 Northern Illinois (16-13, 10-8 MAC) in the quarterfinal of the Mid-American Conference tournament. The score of the sets are as followed: 25-15, 25-23, 25-15.
The Bobcats set the tone in set one, leading the Huskies by 10 at the end of the set. Ohio achieved four runs of three or more points during the set and never allowed NIU the lead. The Bobcats hit .277 to the Huskies .028 and recorded 19 kills to their six.
The second set did not come as easy for Ohio, finishing the set with NIU only trailing by two. The Huskies worked their way back from multiple Bobcats runs, attempting to even the score. Despite NIU's efforts, Ohio came out on top to lead the match, 2-0.
The Bobcats jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the set third, but the Huskies worked quickly to close the gap. The set was a battle between Ohio and NIU until the Bobcats went on a six-point run put Ohio up 23-13. After trading points, sophomore middle blocker Elizbeth Hoerlein (Mason, Ohio) tipped the ball to advance the Bobcats to the next round.
Ohio never once allowed the Huskies the led during the quarterfinal. Overall, the Bobcats hit .267 to NIU's .075 and collected over twice the amount of kills.
Individually, junior middle blocker
Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) led the way, collected 15 kills while recording a .522 hitting percentage. O'Farrell also picked up seven block assists, four digs, and an ace. Hoerlein also had a strong performance, hitting a stellar .667 while pocketing 11 kills and three blocks (1 solo, 2 assist). Freshman outside hitter
Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio) followed with 12 kills and sophomore setter
Tria McLean (Battle Creek, Neb.) tallied a match-high 47 assists. Defensively, sophomore
Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) registered 21 digs, while junior
Ciara Livingway added 14.
Up next, Ohio will take on No. 2 Bowling Green in the semi-final of the MAC tournament. The match will be played tomorrow (Nov. 22) at 7 P.M. in Worthen Arena and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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