Sports

Ohio (8-8) had 49 team kills, but leading the team was Chelsea Bilger and Kelly Lamberti with 14 kills each.

 

It all started right away after the ‘Cats fell behind 7-3 early in the first set.  Kills by Lamberti and teammate Lexie Hartnett sparked a 9-0 run for the Bobcats and the team never looked back.

 

Ohio won the first set 25-20 and would easily control set two as well.  They never relinquished the lead in set two after scoring the first point and won it 25-17.

 

The third set was much closer than the other two.  Neither team could pull away and kept trading points until Ohio scored four straight to go up 24-22.  They would finish off the set 25-23.

 

Bilger was more efficient than Lamberti with a .325 hitting percentage on the night.

 

“We got to find ways to get (Bilger) the ball where she’s successful and it started with setting her a little bit more,” Bobcats head coach Ryan Theis said.  “That has helped her stay more mentally involved in the match and I thought she’s been blocking significantly better than last year.”

 

Other players also stepped up big for Ohio.  Abby Gilleland had a great match for the Bobcats with 42 assists, Meredith Ashy led the team with 21 digs and Lexie Hartnett led the team with seven blocks.

 

Eastern Michigan (11-9) was led by Rachel Iaquaniello who had 10 kills on the night. With the win, Ohio moves to 3-1 in MAC play and has won nine straight sets as a team while Eastern Michigan falls to 1-3 in MAC play.

 

Ohio stays at home next weekend as they will take on Akron on Friday night and Buffalo on Saturday.