Box Score (PDF)

ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio volleyball team (9-6, 9-6 MAC) ran its winning streak to three in a row after defeating Western Michigan (13-4, 13-4 MAC), 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22) on Friday (March 19) at the Convocation Center. 

"They are creating something that is special," said head coach Deane Webb of his team. "You look at tonight, we were down two kids who were starters a week ago, and we found a way to beat the number two team in the league."

Junior outside hitter Mariana Rodrigues (Santana De Parnaiba, Brazil) had another stellar performance, leading both teams with 18 kills while hitting .390. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) followed with 16 kills and a .273 hitting percentage. Senior middle blocker Tia Jimerson (Sugar Hill, Ga.) added 11 kills and six digs while sophomore outside hitter Olivia Margolies (Galena, Ohio) posted eight kills, narrowly missing out on a double-double as she also totaled 11 digs. Both Jimerson and Margolies recorded three total blocks (one block solo, two block assists). In just her second appearance of the season, freshman middle blocker Elizabeth Hoerlein (Mason, Ohio) hit .600 with three kills and tallied two total blocks (one solo block, one block assist) in three sets.

Senior setter Vera Giacomazzi (San Vendemiano, Italy) achieved another double-double with 44 assists and 11 digs. Additionally, Giacomazzi aided the Bobcats with four kills and two block assists. Freshman defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) reached a match-high of 26 digs while senior libero/defensive specialist Macy Reihing (Lexington, Ky.) added 10 and posted a match-high three service aces. 

"We respect [Western Michigan] a lot as a team," said O'Farrell. "They are the second seed right now in the conference, and they have only lost one set in the past five games they've played. It was another really good team moment to go out there and battle with them and then end up on top."

Ohio and Western Michigan will square off again on Saturday (March 20) in a 2 p.m. ET matchup at the Convo.