ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio volleyball team is set to open the 2022 season tomorrow (Aug. 27) when the Bobcats head to Lexington, Ky. to take on Marquette and the No. 11 Kentucky. Ohio will play Marquette on Aug. 27 and Kentucky on Aug. 28 with both matches beginning at 4 p.m. EST.

The Bobcats and head coach Geoff Carlston enter the 2022 season with one clear goal in mind: to win the Mid-American Conference championship. After coming off of a heartbreaking 1-3 loss to Bowling Green in the semifinals of the MAC tournament, Ohio is ready to hit the court and attack the preseason ahead of them.

When asked what the thought process behind the schedule was, Carlston replied with, "Making the NCAA tournament".

"It's a tough schedule, it's a good schedule, it's a winnable schedule but most importantly, I think it prepares us for the MAC and also gives us a resume that gives us a shot at getting an at-large if we don't win the MAC tournament".

Tough schedules are not something new to the Bobcats. Ohio entered last season with a new coach and starting lineup which contributed to its 0-11 start in the preseason. However, the Bobcats were able to bounce back and obtain an 11-7 MAC record, secure the three seed in the MAC tournament, and advance to the semifinals.

Junior libero/defensive specialist Sam Steele believes that the momentum of last season is going to carry into the new schedule.

"We won a bunch of our last games and we were really able to make a lot of strides towards the end of the season figuring out what it takes to win. I think we have already carried that in, we worked really hard this summer and we continue that into preseason. I have really great expectations for this team".

Additionally, chemistry that was missing at the beginning of last season seems to be stronger than ever this year.

"Our team is unbelievably close", explains sophomore outside hitter Caroline Clippard. "It's something I cherish because I know not every team can say that. Geoff does a really good job of having opportunities for us to bond on and off the court. The stronger we are off the court, carries onto the court as well".

Joining All-MAC honorees Steele and Clippard will be transfers Carly Doros and Kristy Frank as well as freshman Anna Kharchynska, Leah Rogers, and Chariti Winzeler.

The Bobcats are expected to perform well off the court too after placing eight on the 2021 Academic All-MAC team and receiving the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award.

After Kentucky, Ohio will head to New Orleans, La. to compete against Kansas City, Howard, and Tulane in the Tulane Invitational, starting on Sept. 2.

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