Sports
Ohio loses hard-fought match to Bowling Green, misses out on MAC Tournament
By: Marc Goldstein
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — In many ways, this match that Ohio (14-15, 10-8 MAC) dropped against Bowling Green (21-8, 16-2 MAC) was rather emblematic of its season. A slow start was overcome by strong play with its back against the wall only to fall short in the end. The 3-2 loss for Ohio was yet another disappointing ending for a team that entered the final weekend, and the season, with so much promise.
Entering the match, Ohio simply had to defeat Bowling Green in order to clinch a spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament. The only other team that was competing for the final spot, Toledo, would later defeat two-win Kent State to give itself a 10-8 MAC record. However, with Toledo owning the head-to-head tiebreaker, Ohio was forced to win against a very good Bowling Green squad in order to make it into the postseason.
Ohio and Bowling Green started the match off with some tightly-contested points, eventually leading to a score that was tied at five. Bowling Green would take a little bit of control and maintain a slim lead throughout the remainder of the first set. Ohio tied the score once, but Bowling Green made sure to stay in front otherwise. A late surge by Ohio was ultimately not enough to give it the first set as it went to Bowling Green, 25-23.
The second set was all Falcons. They got off to a 3-1 start before a 15-7 run put them ahead in commanding fashion. From there, the Bobcats simply could not get into an offensive rhythm, dropping the second set 25-14.
The first two sets were impressive for Bowling Green as it limited itself to three errors, compared to the 14 committed by Ohio in that same span. The lack of consistent offense by Ohio has been one of the main stories of the season as clean play has not been the norm between sets or matches.
Regardless, with their postseason hopes on the line in the third set, Ohio threw everything it had at Bowling Green. The set got off to a similar start with a close beginning of the set and Bowling Green taking a lead. With the score at 7-4 in favor of Bowling Green, Ohio went on a 4-0 run to take its first lead of the set. The teams traded points, but Ohio would continue to stretch its lead little by little. Ohio’s 19-14 lead eventually was whittled down to 21-20 by a Bowling Green rally. However, Ohio hung on to cling to its postseason hopes by winning the set, 25-22.
The fourth set was the inverse of the second for the Bobcats. They were able to completely neutralize the Falcons while limiting their own mistakes, playing the type of volleyball that the coaching staff expects. This set, the Bobcats took the early lead and would not look back. The early lead would balloon to 16-8. The Bobcats would continue to virtually double up the Falcons throughout the set, but settled for the 25-16 set win to even the match at two sets apiece and send it to a fifth and final set.
The fifth set was similar to the first two with Bowling Green taking a commanding 6-1 early lead. Ohio battled back, making it 6-4 after a kill by Olivia Gardner. Ohio tried to continue its comeback attempt, but Bowling Green kept it at arm’s length all set. The score got to 12-7, Bowling Green as it regained its five-point lead. The set got to match point with the score at 14-9 when Bowling Green got a kill to end the match and season for Ohio.