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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio volleyball team begins its 2021 season on Friday (August 27) against fourth-ranked Washington at 3:30 p.m. in Columbus. The Bobcats also play on Saturday (August 28) against Northern Kentucky.

Ohio welcomed back familiar face Geoff Carlston this season. In Carlston's last stint with the Bobcats from 2003-07, he led the team to five-consecutive MAC titles. The head coach, who now holds a career record of 413-217 (.656), holds the best MAC record in conference history (78-2) and won 64 consecutive games against conference opponents.

After spending 12 seasons coaching at Ohio State, Carlston is thrilled to be back in Athens.

"I've been through enough to know that we came here for the right reasons," Carlston said. "I can't thank enough the people at this university, in the administration and the community for how much they've reached out."

Carlston came back to Ohio with a mostly young team. The Bobcats have six seniors this season, including "super senior" Maggie Nedoma, who decided to return to school for her extra year of eligibility.

The new head coach has established a leadership culture, as he did in 2003, that relies on every member of the team to lead.

"Everyone is a leader and everyone needs to lead," Carlston said. "It can't be just one or two people that are the leaders."

Since the Bobcats lost most of their starting lineup last season, including former MAC Setter of the Year Vera Giacomazzi and former MAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Tia Jimerson, Carlston is looking for more players to step up this season.

One person that he has relied heavily on is Nedoma, who was First Team All-MAC in 2019. He is also expecting big seasons from senior Virginia Natalie and junior Caitlin O'Farrell.

"Maggie Nedoma decided to come back because she wanted to finish on her terms and finish strong. We've been asking a lot from her, I think she's responded," Carlston said. "We're also looking at someone like Caitlin. She has a lot to give and we challenge her to go beyond what she has, I think that's a form of leadership."

One thing Carlston is looking to do is to replicate the success he had in his first campaign as head coach. He said that building a dominant team is easier than maintaining that level of success.

The Bobcats will also be looking to prove something to the rest of the conference. Ohio was voted to finish fourth in the MAC-East this season in the MAC Coaches' poll, Carlston believes the team is better than the expectations set before them.

Ohio has a difficult nonconference schedule this season, which Carlston said should help the team prepare for the conference season.

After playing Washington, the Bobcats will player another power five team Kansas State on September 9 at the K-State Invitational. Other notable games include Fresno State on September 10 and Lipscomb on September 18.

"We certainly have a very tough nonconference schedule; we're on the road all four weekends," Carlston said. "So this is not going to be an easy month for this group, but it will certainly build character."

After a month on the road, the Bobcats will play their first home game against Toledo on September 24 and 25. Ohio will go to Miami on November 5 and 6 and will welcome the defending champions Bowling Green to Athens on November 12 and 13 before finishing the regular season at Kent State on November 17.

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