Sports
Ohio Volleyball Completes Comeback, Beats Xavier 3-2
By: Max McDulin
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In what might be remembered as one of their best matches of the season Ohio defeated Xavier 3-2 (24-26, 19-25, 25-18, 27-25, 15-6). The Bobcats dropped the first two sets, but then at the break Coach Deane Webb preached perseverance and character. Ohio was up to the task as they thrilled the crowd of 4,184 with a stunning come from behind win over the Musketeers.
Ohio dominated the fifth set from the start as they won 15-6. They stole a match that Xavier had in it’s grasp by pushing themselves and their opponent to the limit. In the fifth with Ohio leading 8-6, libero Meredith Ashy took over and served out the match to complete the come from behind victory.
Getting out of the fourth set was a balancing act and was the pivotal set. Ohio at one point was up 17-11, but Xavier would not let up. It was almost impossible to bottle up the Ohio attack of Jamie Kosiorek, Ali Lake and Shelby Walker as they combined for 13 of the ‘Cats 15 kills in the set. A key moment came at 24-24 when Jamie Kosiorek was called for a foot fault. Instead of letting that moment faze her and the team, Ohio took the next 3 points to win the fourth set 27-25.
Xavier was extremely patient at the start, allowing plays to develop taking the first stanza 26-24. Ohio’s Erica Walker had a big ace to knot things up at 24, but Xavier didn’t relent and closed things out with a kill from Kristen Massa and an error from Ohio.
The Musketeers took advantage of a swing in energy to win the second set 25-19. It seemed as if Ohio was doing everything right, but for every great hit the ‘Cats had, Xavier had an equal or better response of their own. Shelby Walker did find a bit of a groove in the second set as she had six kills.
The Bobcats clawed their way back into the match by winning the third set 25-18. Karin Bull had a great set as she provided the spark Ohio was looking for in the first two. Bull was five for eight in kill opportunities. Meredith Ashy made a great save, one of her incredible 43 digs, to extend the point which was finished off with a kill by Jamie Kosiorek giving Ohio a 16-14 lead.
The Bobcats showed that they could face adversity, persevere and push a tough team to a fifth set after dropping the first two. The Bobcat Invitational has been a success for Ohio so far with victories over the Musketeers and the LSU Tigers.
Now the ‘Cats look to their 1 o’clock matchup on Saturday against Michigan with high hopes. Michigan has defeated Ohio all three times they’ve faced each other and the Bobcats are hoping to flip the script.