Sports
Ohio Volleyball Sweeps Bobcat Invitational
< < Back to ohio-volleyball-sweeps-bobcat-invitationalThe Bobcat volleyball team entered the final game of the Ohio invitational after sweeping the College of Charleston and the Connecticut Huskies 3-0.
Ohio would welcome the Virginia Cavaliers, who entered the game after defeating the Huskies and Charleston in similar fashion.
It would be the Ohio (6-4) that would ride yesterday’s momentum to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-22) victory over Virginia. The Bobcats didn’t drop a single set in their opening weekend at home.
Virginia would gain a lead and hold it most of the set. The Bobcats would pick up a little momentum from highlight plays coming from Maggie Nedoma and Tia Jimerson. Following a dig from Vera Giacommazzi, Nedoma would wind up and bring down the hammer on a huge kill to shrink the deficit to one. The set would count for one of Giacommazzi’s 25 assists.
Ohio would not be deterred by the score as they would regroup and have a run of their own and take an 18-17 lead. Virginia head coach would be forced to call back to back timeouts in an attempt to regroup the Cavilers. With the help of Lizzie Stephens’ five kills, the Bobcats would gain separation and secure a set one win 25-21.
Ohio would start set two with the same momentum they gained from set one. The Bobcats would start with a quick 3-0 lead thanks to kills from Stephens and Giacomazzi. After Virginia tied the game at ten apiece, the Bobcats went all in. They would lead the rest of the second set and come away with a 25-18 win.
With victory in sight, the Bobcats were a set away from sweeping the Ohio invitational. Ohio would stay poised and focused the entire set.
Jimerson would step up in a huge way with multiple blocks. Following a serving error by Virginia’s Jayna Francis, Ohio would be one point away from taking the match. On set point Maddie Boylston would be called for an attack error, giving Ohio the set 25-22.
The third set victory would be Ohio’s 11th straight set win and it would give the Bobcats the Ohio invitational sweep.
Ohio head coach, Deane Webb, was very impressed with the team’s weekend performance.
“It was three great days of defensive training, coverage training, small ball training, and it showed,” Webb said.
Giacomazzi shared how important the invitational sweep was for the team momentum.
“Getting closer and closer to the MAC, it means a lot for a team,” Giacomazzi said. “It’s a different feeling to win 3-0 than 3-2 because it gives you the confidence to go out there and do what you’re told.”
Ohio will look to continue their five game win streak as they travel to the North Texas Invitational, where they will face New Mexico, Kansas State, and the host North Texas.
Ohio Volleyball SWEEPED the Bobcat Invitational! @joedcollins1 recaps the Bobcats victory over Virginia with quotes from @veragiacomazzi and @deanewebb pic.twitter.com/dZ5j3XRAF9
— WOUB Bobcat Showcase (@BobcatShowcase) September 14, 2019