AMES, Iowa – The Ohio volleyball team (5-5, 0-0 MAC) fell 2-3 (31-29, 20-25, 20-25, 25-20, 10-15) to Drake (6-4, 0-0) in its first match of the Cyclone Invitational on Thursday.
 
The Bobcats had several top performers in today's match. Graduate student Caitlin O'Farrell (Suwanee, Ga.) was the main offensive force for Ohio as she tallied 23 kills and 25.5 points. The rest of Ohio's attack came from the combined efforts of junior Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio), who recorded 13 kills/points, and freshman Kam Hunt (Sylvania, Ohio), who amassed 11 kills and 11.5 points.
 
Near the end of the first set, Ohio trailed Drake by four at set point but a major comeback by the Bobcats tied the match at 25-25. After back and forth between the two teams, Ohio claimed a 1-0 advantage with a comeback (31-29) win over the Bulldogs. O'Farrell led Ohio with seven kills along with a 53.8% hitting and kill percentage.
 
Despite leading for most of the second set, Ohio fell to Drake in a 25-20 decision and the Bulldogs evened the match score to 1-1. In a mirror image of set two, Drake won the third (25-20) and gained a 2-1 lead over the Bobcats.
 
Ohio answered back with a 25-20 win in the fourth set, evening the match at 2-2. The Bobcats dominated the set offensively with 16 kills to Drake's nine.
 
Ultimately, Drake came away with the victory after winning the final set (15-10).
 
Ohio will continue play at the Cyclone Invitational on Friday, Sept. 15 as they take on host, No. 23 Iowa State at 7:30 p.m. ET.
 
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