Sports
Volleyball: Ohio Defeats Kent State in Three Sets
By: Sara Nealeigh
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Tonight’s game against the Golden Flashes of Kent State was one of errors. Both teams had numerous service errors throughout the game.
But Ohio persevered through the muck and beat KSU in straight sets in its first mid-week MAC match of the season.
The teams played neck and neck for the majority of the first set, but it wasn’t until a kill by Lexie Harnett gave the Bobcats the momentum they needed to finish the set, allowing Kent to score only five points the remainder of the game. Kent’s biggest problem was service errors during the set, giving Ohio five of its points. Ohio won the first set 25-18.
An early six-point run in the second set led the Bobcats to a victory in the second set, with a score of 25-17. More consecutive runs followed that put Ohio ahead early, and prevented Kent from gaining a lead for the rest of the set. Kent State only had the lead once, very early in the set. Both teams suffered again from errors, with six total points scored for service errors.
In the third and final set, both teams fought back and forth for the lead. Ohio gained a two-point lead at the last minute, and was able to hold on until the end. Even after giving up five service errors, Ohio managed to win the set 25-21.
Katie Post gave the Bobcats 10 kills tonight, while Chelsea Bilger made 11 digs to help out the back row. Bailey Karst had 28 assists. For Kent State, Maigan Larson had a total of 9 kills and Aleksandra Nowak had 23 assists. Although both teams showed signs of struggle with errors in service and attacks, Ohio defeated Kent State in three sets to stay unbeaten in the MAC.
Ohio improved to 11-6 (3-0 MAC) in 2011 and has beaten Kent State 20 straight times. The ‘Cats haven’t lost in conference play since November, 2010.