ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio volleyball team (10-10, 5-3 MAC) defeated Bowling Green (7-11, 1-6 MAC) 3-1 (25-16, 28-26, 30-28, 25-19) in its first match of the home series on Friday.
 
Several Bobcats recorded impressive performances in tonight's match. Graduate student Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) tallied a team-high 18 kills along with two blocks. Sophomore Anna Kharchynska (Kyiv, Ukraine) totaled 12 kills, senior Elizabeth Hoerlein (Mason, Ohio) added 10 kills and both players amassed five blocks each.
 
Senior Sam Steele also shined for the Green and White as she recorded two aces, 13 digs and two assists.
 
The first set started off close before Ohio's offense picked up ultimately leading to a 25-16 win for the Bobcats. A 3-0 scoring run finally separated Ohio from Bowling Green after several ties in the first half of the set. The Bobcats went on to maintain a five-point lead for the remainder of the set.
 
Hoerlein and Kharchynska led Ohio with three or more kills and two blocks a piece. A few hiccups by the Falcons helped the Bobcats reach set point and an early 1-0 advantage.
 
Ohio gave itself a 2-0 lead after stealing the second set in a 28-26 decision. Bowling Green led the Bobcats for majority of the set, but the Green and White fought back to earn the win. Ohio tied the Falcons 24-24 at set point and was able to come out of top behind strong defensive pressure and offensive success led by O'Farrell's five kills.
 
Bowling Green cut Ohio's lead in half with a 30-28 win in the third set.
 
Ohio secured the 3-1 victory with a 25-19 win in the fourth and final set.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action on Saturday as they conclude their series against Bowling Green at 4 p.m.
 
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