ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio volleyball team (20-12, 13-5 MAC) concluded its season after falling to Xavier (21-11, 11-7 Big East) 3-1 (25-15, 21-25, 20-25, 17-25) in round two of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship on Friday (Dec. 2) inside the Convocation Center.

The Bobcats hit .220 to Xaviers .266, recording 54 kills, seven blocks, 50 assists, and 64 digs.

Ohio started off the match strong with a 25-15 win in set one. Two 4-0 runs by the Bobcats allowed them to secure the lead before going on a seven-point streak to close the set.

Set two was a tighter match up, with nine ties early on. This time it was Xavier that was able to gain the lead, battling off the Bobcats for a 25-21 set win. Set three with a similar story with Ohio falling 20-25. The Bobcats fought to extend the match in set four but ultimately fell 17-25.

Ohio was led by graduate student outside hitter Kristy Frank (Kyiv, Ukraine) and freshman opposite hitter Anna Kharchynska (Kyiv, Ukraine) with 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Senior outside hitter Olivia Margolies (Galena, Ohio) followed with nine kills and 13 digs. Junior defensive specialist Maci Watrous (Coppell, Texas) also collected 13 digs while junior libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb) led the match with 18.

Setters Tria McLean (Battle Creek, Neb.) and Chariti Winzeler (Toledo, Ohio) each grabbed 22 assists with Steele adding five. Junior middle blocker Elizabeth Hoerlein (Mason, Ohio) posted five total blocks while Frank and Kharchynska recorded three each.

Ohio competed in the NIVC for the first time this season, making a name for itself after sweeping the 2021 tournament runner-up Valparaiso.

Stay tuned for more Ohio volleyball updates as the 2022-23 season concludes.

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