Sports

Ohio Tops Xavier In Cincinnati

Posted on: Saturday, September 13, 2014

The Ohio Volleyball team swept host Xavier 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-19) Friday in its opening match of the Millennium Hotel Invitational in Cincinnati.

The match had its share of momentum and lead changes, but it was ultimately the Bobcats who edged the Musketeers in all aspects of the game. Ohio posted 44 kills, 52 digs and seven blocks while Xavier recorded 42 kills, 49 digs and three blocks.

“There were some moments when we played well and some when we didn’t play as well,” said Coach Deane Webb. “ But overall we just played hard and that’s one of the things we’ve talked about literally since we started working together.”

Serving has been a key aspect of the game for the Bobcats early this season and it was an aspect they excelled in against Xavier as well.

“I think we always want to serve aggressively and sometime it results in out-of-systems and sometimes it results in aces,” said Webb.

The results in this match were indeed aces as Ohio recorded five of them to Xavier’s one, with three coming from freshman, top-spin server Jaime Kosiorek

In the opening set, each team had their own short rallies with neither team gaining a lead greater than three. The Musketeers would tie the set at 12, but that was the closest they would get as the Bobcats captured the opening match 25-22.

The back-and-fourth game style continued into the second set as the Bobcats earned the first two points only to be countered by Xavier’s four unanswered points of their own. Strong net play from the Bobcats and eight errors for the Musketeers surged Ohio to a 2-0 match lead.

Ohio practiced a balanced attack at the net with both Kosiorek and senior Kelly Lamberti recording 11 kills, junior transfer Shelby Walker posting seven and senior Hannah Burkle contributing five.

The Musketeers would find some momentum in the third set though, possessing the lead all the way up until the 14-13 mark. The Bobcats would go on 12-5 run to seal the victory.

“I think any time you get to play a quality opponent that is in your home state it’s a big opportunity to mentally get the win but also solidify our position as a good program in our state,” said Webb.