ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio volleyball team (5-3, 0-0 MAC) split the doubleheader between Loyola (Md.) (2-7,0-0 Patriot League) and Tennessee Tech (3-6, 0-0 OVC) on Saturday (Sept. 10) in the Convocation Center. The Bobcats defeated Loyola 3-1 but fell short to Tennessee Tech,1-3 to conclude the Bobcat Invitational.
Junior libero Sam Steele (Omaha, Neb.) and senior middle blocker Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Match One: Ohio v. Loyola (Md.): 3-1 (25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19)
Ohio outhit Loyola .218 to .043 with 49 kills compared to Loyola's 41, leading them to win today's match 3 sets to 1 (25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19).
The first set was dominated by Ohio. The Bobcats were able to maintain a steady lead throughout the set, never allowing Loyola within four points. Junior setter Tria McLean's (Battle Creek, Neb.) 13 assists helped the Bobcats pull away in the final stretch to win 25-15.
Set two was all Ohio, with the Bobcats getting off to a hot start and never letting up. After a quick 9-1 lead over the Greyhounds, the Bobcats sustained a healthy lead which eventually led them to a ten-point victory, defeating Loyola 25-15.
Unlike the previous sets, Loyola held the lead for the entire third set. Ohio was able to get the set within a point, but Loyola capitalized on their third set point to take the set 23-25.
The fourth set started out with Ohio grabbing a quick 5-point lead. Looking to force a fifth set, the Greyhounds tied the set to take away Ohio's early momentum. The set continued with neither team being able to pull away, until Ohio scored 11 of the last 14 points to capture set four 25-19.
Senior outside hitter Olivia Margolies (Galena, Ohio) led the Bobcats in kills with 13 kills. Graduate student Kristy Frank (Kyiv, Ukraine) followed with 11 kills, while O'Farrell recorded 10. Freshman opposite hitter Anna Kharchynska (Kyiv, Ukraine) held a team high hitting percentage of .333 off nine kills and 24 attacks.
McLean picked up 41 assists, two more than Loyola's team total. McLean also posted a double-double with 10 digs. Steele tallied 25 digs of her own, while junior defensive specialist Maci Watrous (Coppell, Texas) pocketed 12.
Match Two: Ohio v. Tennessee Tech: 1-3 (25-19, 20-25, 22-25, 20-25)
Tennessee Tech outhit Ohio .225 to .160. With 58 kills to the Bobcats 46, the Golden Eagles were able to take tonight's match, 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 22-25, 20-25).
Set one was neck and neck early on, however, Ohio was able to pull away mid-set. Tennessee Tech made a late push with a 4-0 run, holding Ohio from scoring the set point. However, the run came too late and the Bobcats won, 25-19.
Much like the first set, the second was very competitive in the beginning, with neither team able to get out front. However, it was the Golden Eagles who were able to extend their lead in the middle of the set and take it 25-20.
Ohio got off to a quick start in the third set, earning the first 6 points. Despite their run, the Bobcats allowed Tennessee Tech back into the match, leading to a competitive finish. Near the end of the set, the Golden Eagles were able to improve their lead and score on an ace to win the set.
Ohio had numerous opportunities to narrow the gap but could never capitalize. Tennessee Tech was able to shut down Ohio late on in the last set, taking it 25-20.
The Bobcats were led offensively by Frank's 15 kills, in addition to O'Farrell's nine kills and .333 hitting percentage. Frank also provided nine crucial digs, many of which came in set four. Additionally, sophomore opposite hitter Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio) brought a strong presence off the bench recording six kills with a .500 kill percentage.
Steele posted 27 digs, while Margolies put away 10 digs and seven kills. McLean carried the Bobcats in assists, securing 32 throughout the match.
Up next, Ohio will travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to compete against Butler in the Bulldog Braw on Sept. 15 at 6:00 p.m ET.
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