Sports

Volleyball: Ohio sweeps Eastern Michigan

By: Ohio University Athletics
Posted on: Saturday, October 1, 2011

Freshmen Chelsea Bilger and Kelly Lamberti both attained double-digit kills as Ohio Volleyball swept its fourth-straight opponent this season in MAC play with a 25-17, 26-24, 25-19 result at Eastern Michigan.

Bilger led the Bobcats with 12 kills and Lamberti added 10 as Ohio has now won 23-straight sets against MAC opponents. Lexie Hartnett had eight kills and hit .300 while Katie Post had seven kills and hit .278. Mollie Geske had 23 kills and out-dug EMU's Haley Stein who ranks 16th nationally in digs per set. Bailey Karst continued her strong play at the setter position with 37 assists.

With the score 14-12 in favor of the Bobcats, Ohio ran off five-straight points to gain a 19-12 advantage. Lamberti and Hartnett earned kills while Faith Robins picked up two blocks. The Bobcats would eventually score nine of 10 possible points and go on to win the set. 25-17. Lamberti finished the set with five kills, Robins totaled four blocks and Ohio finished with 5.5 total blocks in the set.

Ohio turned a 14-11 deficit into an 18-15 lead during the second set. EMU would respond and tie things at 18-18. The teams would trade points until the score reached 24-24 and Post recorded a kill. Lamberti and Post then combined on a block of EMU's Erin Short to end the set, 26-24, in favor of the visitors. Ohio took a 2-0 lead in the match as Post recorded five kills on seven swings and the 'Cats hit a match-best .250.

The Bobcats methodically dissected the Eagles in the third set, increasing their lead slowly throughout. Ohio's lead was two at 17-15 before an attack error and an ace by Karst forced an EMU timeout. At 20-17, Ohio rattled off three points in a row to take its biggest lead at 23-17. Ohio won the match with a 25-19 victory in the set with Bilger leading the way with seven kills.

Ohio remains on the road next weekend when it takes on MAC East foes Akron and Buffalo. The Bobcats play the Zips on Friday night at 7 p.m. and the Bulls on Saturday night at 6 p.m.