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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio volleyball team (8-6, 8-6 MAC) pocketed another win after defeating Toledo (3-12, 3-12 MAC), 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 15-4), on Wednesday (March 17) at the Convocation Center.

The Bobcats won in five sets for the second day in a row. Ohio has played six matches that have taken five sets to decide in the spring 2021 season, including three in a row.

"It was a tough day," said head coach Dean Webb. "It was challenging. A lot of tired kids, but I am just really proud of the way they fought. To be that dominant in the fifth set, I am just really proud of our team and the way they fought."

Junior outside hitter Mariana Rodrigues (Santana De Parnaiba, Brazil) dominated the match with career-high 26 kills, while hitting .276 and adding a solo block and a dig. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) hit a stellar match-high of .667, tallying eight kills and two total blocks (one block solo, one block assist). Senior middle blocker Tia Jimerson (Sugar Hill, Ga.) and redshirt junior middle blocker/opposite hitter Dahlias Bouyer (Brownstown, Mich.) added eight kills of their own. Additionally, Jimerson recorded four total blocks (one block solo, three block assists) while Bouyer had three block assists.

"I am feeling good," Rodrigues said. "My teammates were helping me with everything and also it showed the hard work we are putting in as a team."

Senior setter Vera Giacomazzi (San Vendemiano, Italy) secured a double-double through providing a match-high 54 assists and adding 11 digs. Freshman defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) achieved a match-high of her own with 25 digs for the Bobcats while senior libero/defensive specialist Macy Reihing (Lexington, Ky.) followed with 10.

Toledo led for the entirety of the opening set, taking a 1-0 match lead courtesy of a three-point victory. The Rockets hit .289 in the first set while limiting the Bobcats to a .061 attack percentage.

The Bobcats responded with a six-point win in set two, attacking at a .407 clip. Rodrigues led the way to Ohio evening the match, posting four kills and a block solo while Bouyer logged three kills and two block assists.

The Rockets recorded another 25-22 victory in the third set to taking control of the match, 2-1. Rodrigues added six more kills to her total, but the Bobcats struggled to a .075 attack percentage.

Ohio bounced back in the fourth set by hitting .333 to force the deciding fifth frame. Rodrigues and O'Farrell each totaled six kills to lead the charge.

The Bobcats saved their best for the fifth set, leaving no doubt by hitting .615. Rodrigues hit .429 alone with four kills as Ohio rolled to the 11-point win.

Ohio continues its four-match homestand at the Convocation Center by welcoming Western Michigan to town for a pair of contests this weekend. The Bobcats and Broncos are set to square off on Friday (March 19) at 6 p.m. ET and Saturday (March 20) at 2 p.m. ET.

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