YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Ohio volleyball team (10-7, 4-2 MAC) took down Eastern Michigan (1-16, 0-5 MAC), 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22) inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center on Friday (Oct. 7).

Ohio outhit Eastern Michigan .283 to .209, who was hindered by 25 attack errors despite posting an additional kill. The Eagles also edged out the Bobcats in assists 52-50 and digs 65-64.

Ohio got out early in the first set, maintaining its lead until Eastern recorded five-straight kills to tie the match at 14-14. The Bobcats were able to stay in front despite being met by two more ties before winning the set 25-23.

Set two started out as another close match up until a 4-0 run gave Ohio a three-point advantage. The Eagles made up ground, tying the set 10-10. The Bobcats stayed in front until Eastern tied up the score at 19-19. While the Eagles reached 20 first, Ohio was able finish the set off with a 5-0 run to take set two, 25-21.

The third was just as competitive as its predecessors. After trading the first couple of points, Eastern was able to stretch its led by four. A 5-1 scoring series put the Bobcats right back in, tying the set 12-12. The set remained tight with both teams struggling to sustain the lead. The Eagles got the best of Ohio once more, coming out of the 19-19 tie on top. The Bobcats worked to keep themselves alive, but Eastern ultimately took the set 25-22.

Ohio found its groove in the fourth set, only allowing one tie. While the Eagles tied things up at 20 apiece, the Bobcats went 4-0 to grant them the set point. Ohio secured set four 25-22 and won the match 3-1.

Offensively, senior middle blocker Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) had a dominant night, hitting .417 with 14 kills off 24 attacks. O'Farrell also posted two block solos, one black assist, and three digs. Other kill leaders for the Bobcats were senior outside hitter Olivia Margolies (Galena, Ohio) with 16 and freshman opposite hitter Anna Kharchynska (Kyiv, Ukraine) with 10.

Senior setter Parker Kwiatkowski (Grand Rapids, Mich.) also had an impressive performance, collecting a double-double with 48 assists and 13 digs. Kwiatkowski was also aggressive at the net, recording five kills while hitting .455.

On the defensive end, junior libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) tallied 19 digs while junior defensive specialist Maci Watrous (Coppell, Texas) registered 15. Additionally, Watrous and senior defensive specialist Ciara Livingway (Lake Orion, Mich.) each pocketed two service aces.

Up next, Ohio will return to the Convocation Center for Dig Pink against Buffalo on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. ET.