Sports
Ohio Volleyball Sweeps Seton Hall
By: Max McDulin
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With a hot start of 5-2 under their belts Ohio University women’s volleyball continued their early season success with a three set sweep of Seton Hall at the Active Ankle Challenge in Louisville, Ky. On Friday the Bobcats defeated the Pirates 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-19).
The Cats’ were trying to close out the fifth in what had been a back and forth set. While Ohio had the lead at 15-14 Jamie Kosiorek had a pair of beautifully placed aces to quiet whatever comeback the Pirates may have had in them, as the Bobcats would use a new found energy to fuel a 10-5 run to win the third and deciding set 25-19.
The second set was the true decider in this one, as after winning the first set Ohio wanted to show it’s dominance. Seton Hall did not make it easy though as the bobcats squeaked out with a second set victory, 26-24. Ohio at one point was up 16-11 and it appeared they’d be running away with the set. However, Seton Hall then reeled off 8 straight points to take a second set lead of 19-16. Then with the score 23-21 in Seton Hall’s favor Ohio pressed forward and won 5 of the last 6 points in the set to essentially steal away a second set that had looked all but over.
Abby Gilleland also caught fire and continued to set up her team time and time again at the end of the set, by the end of the day she had a team leading 37 assists. She seemed to really like setting up Jamie Kosiorek and Karin Bull as they had 9 kills each in the match.
The first set was far less exciting than the second and third as Ohio took the set 25-20. Coming out with great energy and focus the Cats’ were leading 11-6, by the time Seton Hall decided to take their first timeout. Through those first 17 points the Bobcats showcased an effective strategy that they used all day as Nelson, Bull, and Salis each had 2 kills through the start.
Also to take of note, for the first time this year the Bobcats received votes in this past weeks AVCA Coaches Poll. Their 20 votes put them as the unofficial 30th ranked team in the nation and with a good performance this weekend they may make an appearance in the top 25 next week. Their next opponents will be Saturday as they face Utah at noon, and then Active Ankle Challenge host Louisville at 7 pm.