ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio volleyball team (6-14, 4-4 MAC) survived its exciting five-set battle against Eastern Michigan (10-11, 2-6 MAC), winning 3-2 (18-25, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 16-14) on Thursday, Oct. 16.
 
The matchup between the Bobcats and Eagles was one of Ohio's closest games this season. Ohio finished with 63 kills, 10 aces, 13 blocks, 58 assists and 93 digs. Eastern Michigan finished with 51 kills, six aces, nine blocks, 47 assists and 81 digs.
 
Two Bobcats finished with a double-double. Senior Kendall White (Gahanna, Ohio) tallied a team-high 53 assists in addition to 16 digs and eight blocks. Junior Gentry Brown (Shadyside, Ohio) finished with 12 kills and led the team with a career-high 21 digs.
 
Freshman Bailey Blair (Louisville, Ky.) led the team's offense with 19 kills and 20.5 points. Junior Torre Kildow (Bethesda, Ohio) and sophomore Sierra Evans (Silver Spring, Md.) tallied 10 kills each, a career-high performance for Evans. Junior Emily Waddell (Carmel, Ind.) finished with eight kills, 18.0 points 10 blocks and a career-high five aces.
 
Four different Bobcats, including Brown and White, finished the game with double-digit digs. Sophomore Kendall Hickey (Fishers, Ind.) tallied 19 digs and freshman Mady Long (Vincent, Ohio) tallied 18 digs.
 
Eastern Michigan gained an early 1-0 lead with a 25-18 win in the first set.
 
The Bobcats bounced back in the second set, tying the game with a score of 25-23. Ohio's momentum continued into the third set. After dominating the third set 25-17, the Bobcats took a 2-1 lead.
 
An impressive effort by Eastern Michigan in the fourth set disrupted the Bobcats. The Eagles' successful comeback tied the game at 2-2 and forced a fifth set.
 
Both teams went back-and-forth trading points throughout the fifth set. Ohio was able to outlast Eastern Michigan and win the set in a 16-14 decision.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action against Eastern Michigan on Friday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+.
 
#OUohyeah