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ATHENS, Ohio -- Redshirt freshman middle blocker Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) hit .562 with 10 kills and compiled four block assists as the Ohio volleyball team (3-2, 3-2 MAC) earned a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-23) sweep of Buffalo (0-7, 0-7 MAC) on Thursday (February 11) at the Convocation Center.

"Caitlin really grew up tonight," said head coach Deane Webb. "She was good, and late in the match she really took over. Our last 14 points, she scored seven. She had five kills and two blocks during that run. That was a great, great performance by her and great to see a young player grow up like that."

The Bobcats hit .255 for the match and out blocked the Bulls, 6-2.

Junior outside hitter/right side hitter Lauren Park (Millersburg, Ohio) hit .269 with a match-high 12 kills and added a block assist. Junior outside hitter Mariana Rodrigues (Santana De Parnaiba, Brazil) registered 10 kills and hit .258 for the match. She also posted two block assists.

Senior setter Vera Giacomazzi (San Vendemiano, Italy) tallied a double-double with a match-high 36 assists and achieved a double-double with 14 digs. She also recorded three block assists and two service aces.

Freshman defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) compiled a match-high 24 digs.

The Bobcats rolled to a 15-point victory in the first set but sets two and three required comebacks for Ohio.

"It was certainly a streaky match," said Webb. "There were times I don't know that we were as focused as we needed to be and got ourselves into some pretty big holes. That said, we showed a great deal of maturity, experience and competitiveness to get out of those holes."

Ohio trailed 21-18 in the second set but finished on a 7-0 run to take a 2-0 match lead, with Park logging three kills down the final stretch.

The Bobcats faced a 19-11 deficit in the third set but roared back with a 14-4 run that saw Ohio score eight straight points to take a 21-20 lead and turn the tide of the set. Park's 12th kill of the match sealed the sweep.

Ohio takes aim at a season sweep of Buffalo when the Bobcats and Bulls square off again on Friday (February 12). The match is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. ET, and the action will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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