NORMAL, Ill.-- The Ohio volleyball team fell in five sets, 3-2 (16-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23, 8-15) against Illinois State at the Red & White Invitational on Friday (Sept. 3) in Normal, Ill.

The Bobcats dropped the first two sets to the Redbirds, only hitting .176 and .171. Ohio was resilient and battled back, giving themselves large leads early in the third and fourth to secure wins in both sets. Illinois State came out on top of set five and took the match.

The Bobcats hit .199 to the Redbird's .279. Ohio had 55 kills and 60 digs while Illinois State had 58 kills and 63 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio) and fifth year opposite hitter Maggie Nedoma (Brook Park, Ohio) led the match, tallying 18 kills apiece. With nine digs, Nedoma nearly reached a double-double, while also recording two block assists. Junior outside hitter Olivia Margolies (Galena, Ohio) was also just shy of a double-double with 10 kills and nine digs.

Sophomore setter Tria McLean (Battle Creek, Neb.) had 33 assists and six digs, while junior setter Parker Kwiatkowski (Grand Rapids, Mich.) registered 12 assists. Sophomore defensive specialist/libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) led Ohio with 14 digs.

Ohio will continue at the Red & White Invitational tomorrow (Sept. 4) where they will play Marquette at 2 p.m. and the University of Illinois-Chicago at 7 p.m. EST.

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