Box Score (PDF)

ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio volleyball team (10-7, 10-7 MAC) celebrated the senior night of setter Vera Giacomazzi (San Vendemiano, Italy) with a 3-1 (25-23, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23) win over Kent State on Tuesday (March 23) in the Convocation Center.

"I am just so happy that we were able to earn that win tonight for our program, but really, earn the win for Vera," shared head coach Dean Webb. "It let her be honored in a way that she deserves. She had an outstanding career, and I am just proud and happy for her that this win could happen tonight." 

It was an emotional night, but that did not stop Giacomazzi from having an outstanding performance on her senior night. Leading the match in assists and securing yet another double-double, Giacomazzi tallied 47 assists with 10 digs and two block assists.

"This team was basically my life for the past four years," expressed Giacomazzi when asked what the team meant to her. "When you move so far away from your family, these people take care of you and you start learning how to take care of them. Bonds create and there are going to be highs and lows, tears and laughs, but I share everything with them. They make you grow, and you make them grow. I would not make a different decision ever if I could go back. I would never ever make a different decision."

The Bobcats definitely made sure to take care of Giacomazzi on the court. Junior outside hitter Mariana Rodrigues (Santana De Parnaiba, Brazil) was one of four Bobcats to achieve double-digit kills, recording a match-high 18, while senior middle blocker Tia Jimerson (Sugar Hill, Ga.) followed with 16 and a team-high clip of .355. Jimerson added six total blocks (two solid and four assists) and five digs. Redshirt freshman Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) posted 12 kills and three block assists of her own

Freshman defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) was just shy of a double-double with 10 digs and eight assists. Senior libero/defensive specialist Macy Reihing (Lexington, Ky.) reached the double-digits with 13 digs while freshman defensive specialist/libero Maci Watrous (Coppell, Texas) was just shy with 9 digs for the Bobcats. 

In the first set, Kent State started the match strong with a 3-0 run over the Bobcats. Despite the circumstances, Ohio bounced back and was able to win the set, 25-23. Ohio kept the momentum going in the second set and attacked at a .417 clip while the Golden Flashes were only able to hit a mere .097. However, Kent State rallied back in the third set to keep the Bobcats on their toes. The Golden Flashes concluded with a 6-0 run to take the set, 26-24. Ohio and Kent State battled it out the fourth, but the Bobcats ultimately prevailed to close out the home portion of their 2021 spring schedule with a victory.

Ohio will close out the regular season with a visit to DeKalb, Ill., to take on Northern Illinois in a pair of matches this weekend, with the first set for Friday (March 26) at 4 p.m. ET.

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