2024 Ohio Volleyball Season Preview

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio volleyball team is looking forward to growth and more during the 2024 season.

Last season, the Bobcats finished second in the Mid-American Conference - tied with Buffalo and Ball State - and won the East Division with a 18-13 overall record and 13-5 conference record. This season, the Bobcats hope to continue to be competitive across the U.S.

They'll be able to do so with majority of Ohio's roster having a season or two under its belt. With 12 veterans – one being transfer middle blocker and opposite hitter Olivia Gardner (Macomb, Mich.). Although Ohio's roster is still young, the experience it does have will help it come together to face challenges.

Ohio boasts athleticism and the ability to play across the floor, which will come in handy this season.

"This group gets along really well. They compete, they push each other and the freshmen have fit in really great with that," head coach Geoff Carlston said.

Ohio starts its season at home with the Bobcat Invitational on August 30 before heading to North Carolina for the High Point Tournament the following weekend. After that Ohio will take off for California and the SoCal Cup. There, Ohio will face Loyola Marymount, USC and Utah State.

"That'll be a great trip for us. Most of our players have never been there. We play three top 25 teams out there, and it's a different style of play," Carlston said. "I think we see a lot of Midwestern style volleyball, but there is a different style and it's great for for our team, for our young team, to be able to see that because when you're in the NCAA Tournament you're not going to be playing someone in the conference."

Ohio has one more tournament at home, the Ohio Invitational, before MAC play starts September 27.

"I think that's a humongous advantage because last year we had one home tournament, and then we went right into Mac play at home," sophomore outside hitter Kam Hunt said. "MAC play just felt super chaotic, it was a lot of pressure. I also think that (being home) also gives our fans an opportunity to come, get up out of their seat and get used to the expectation, the vibe."

The Bobcats will go back and forth for home and away matches throughout the fall, including a trip to face the 2023 champion Broncos on October 10. Carlston expects that match to be intense as the Broncos return a majority of their team from last season.

Ohio concludes the regular season with a trip to Bowling Green on November 15 and 16. Although Ohio hopes that its 2024 campaign will not end there, but at the MAC Tournament.

To get there, the Bobcats plan to become more versatile on offense while boosting their defensive presence. Carlston plans to spread out the team's attack and improve its serving in order to help clean up both sides of the ball.

Fans of the team have their chance to see the Bobcats before their first invitational at VolleyFest on Saturday, August 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. The community is invited to connect with the volleyball team for a behind the scenes look at a training session, including a scrimmage, and hang out with players.

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2024 Ohio Volleyball Season Preview

Players Mentioned

Olivia Gardner

Kam Hunt

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