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[Marc Goldstein | WOUB]

Iowa State hands Ohio Volleyball first loss of the season

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Following their victory over Bucknell on Friday at the Bobcat Invitational, Ohio (1-0) came back to the court looking to secure a win against Iowa State (1-0).  The Bobcats were unable to keep pace with Iowa State falling in three sets.

Since last season, Ohio has taken some hits to their roster, losing key players like Kam Hunt, who transferred to Dayton, and Anna Kharchynska, who is now an Ohio Student Manager. However, after Friday’s impressive performance against Bucknell, the Bobcats seemed unfazed by the loss. 

Starting off strong, freshman Mady Long sent one to the floor, giving the Bobcats an early lead. However, it wouldn’t take long for Iowa State to shake off their nerves, stealing the lead and setting the tone for the rest of the set. Cyclones’ Maya Duckworth and Tierney Jackson would lead the set in kills with four each, making it difficult for the Bobcats to recover.  

Ohio freshman Mady Long serving against Iowa State.
Ohio freshman Mady Long serving against Iowa State. [Logan Smutylo | WOUB Public Media]
Fortunately for Ohio, Kendall Hickey dropped in a pair of aces to keep the Bobcats in the set. Even so, Ohio’s efforts were not strong enough to salvage the set, as errors would ultimately lead to Iowa State taking the first 25-18. 

In the second, the Bobcats made a push matching the Cyclones point for point. This back-and-forth carried throughout the set until Long would add another pair of aces for the Bobcats bringing the score to 22-20. After a close call falling in favor of Ohio, Iowa State responded. Duckworth would put the nail in the coffin, killing the ball past Hickey and stealing the set for the Cyclones 25-23. 

Into the third, Iowa State took an early lead, finding success in the Bobcats back right corner. Ohio wouldn’t see themselves on the board until the Cyclones made a net violation at 5-0. The rest of the set would be similar, as the Bobcats struggled to find their footing and made errors that would be detrimental.

Buried 12 points under, Ohio lost the third and final set 25-13.

“I think we’re so focused on ‘we have to win every point,’ or ‘this has to be perfect,’ that we forgot a little bit what the simple things are,” said interim head coach Kenzie Brinkman. “I think going back to what we know and what is Ohio volleyball, we’ll be better from there.” 

Although the Cyclones bested the Bobcats, Ohio still had an impressive game, as freshman Mady Long had a standout performance. Long would end the night with nine kills, four aces and four digs. 

The Ohio Bobcats will be back in The Convo on Sunday at noon to take on Eastern Illinois.