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OXFORD, Ohio -- Junior outside hitter/right side hitter Lauren Park (Millersburg, Ohio) totaled a match-high 18 kills, and senior middle blocker Tia Jimerson (Sugar Hill, Ga.) hit .385 with 12 kills and tallied a match-high four total blocks (two block solos, two block assists) to guide the Ohio volleyball team (6-5, 6-5 MAC) to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-22) road sweep of archrival Miami (7-7, 7-7 MAC) on Friday (March 12) at Millett Hall.

"We have so much respect for Miami and the prolonged success in their program," said head coach Deane Webb. "We knew we would have to play at high level today to earn the win, and I'm thankful that we did."

The Bobcats attacked at a .298 clip in the victory over the RedHawks. Junior outside hitter Mariana Rodrigues (Santana De Parnaiba, Brazil) hit .333 with eight kill and just missed out on a double-double with 12 digs. Senior opposite Maggie Nedoma (Brook Park, Ohio) posted seven kills while attacking at a .294 rate. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) also registered seven kills in addition to recording two block assists.

"Both offenses attacked at a high level," said Webb. "I am hopeful tomorrow we can continue attacking well while also making strides defensively."

Senior setter Vera Giacomazzi (San Vendemiano, Italy) logged 47 assists to direct Ohio's attack. Three Bobcats posted double-digit digs, with freshman defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) collecting a team-high 16 and senior libero/defensive specialist Macy Reihing (Lexington, Ky.) tallying 11 to join Rodrigues in double figures.

Park finished the first set with five kills and two block assists while Nedoma totaled four kills and O'Farrell posted three more to help push the Bobcats to a two-point win to open the match. With the set even at 22-all, Park delivered a kill to put Ohio back in front, Jimerson came up with block to make it set point and then Rodrigues wrapped up the set win with a kill.

Jimerson powered Ohio's attack in the second set, hitting .462 with seven kills. Park posted five more kills while Rodrigues chipped in four more and hit .444 as the Bobcats took a 2-0 lead in the match courtesy of a four-point win.

Park finished the match strong by attacking at a .467 clip with eight kills in the third set to help the Bobcats seal the sweep.

"With the race to get in the conference tournament so close, every match is critical," said Webb. We viewed today as a huge opportunity and responded well. I know that tomorrow Miami will play even better than they did tonight. I am hopeful our team will be ready for that challenge."

Ohio will look to finish the weekend 2-0 against Miami when the two squads meet again on Saturday (March 13). Action is set to get underway at 5 p.m. ET from Millett Hall.

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