Sports
Ohio Volleyball extends win streak after sweeping series against Akron
By: Austin Yau
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio Volleyball (11-4, 4-0) hosted Akron (6-10, 1-3) for two games on Friday and Saturday. In both games, the Bobcats dropped a set to the Zips, but they were able to bounce back, taking both games 3-1.
The first set on Friday was a tight one, with the biggest lead being only three points in Akron’s favor. But Ohio scored three straight points while down 23-22 to flip the score in their favor, winning 25-23. Olivia Gardner and Bailey Blair combined for the set-winning block.
The second set started close, but once the game reached double digits, the Bobcats took control of the game. Ohio’s front row was racking up kills on the way to a comfortable 25-16 win.
But the third was not much the same for the Bobcats, as Akron raced out to a 6-0 lead. Ohio did cut the lead to five at one point, but the 6-0 deficit and other big runs by Akron ensured the 25-16 win for the Zips.
Ohio has struggled in third sets this season, something that head coach Kenzie Brinkman spoke on, “I think I overemphasize third sets now that I think they’re maybe more timid right off the bat. So I’m going to stop doing that and just let them play loose,” said Brinkman.
A tough third set wouldn’t get to the Bobcats as they battled the Zips to start the fourth set. Then the Bobcats went on an 8-2 run to put the game in reach as they led 22-14. Akron briefly delayed the win, but a Rose Mahin kill followed by an Emily Waddell service ace and an Akron error got Ohio the 25-16 win.
After that win, the Bobcats returned on Saturday hoping to sweep the weekend against the Zips.
Akron didn’t make that an easy task in the first set, getting leads that the Bobcats needed 4-0 and 5-0 runs to recover from. Yet Ohio was again strong in the late points, and Olivia Gardner delivered the game-winning kill.
The close sets continued into the second set, as the two teams were tied at 15 midway through. But then the Zips caught the Bobcats out of rhythm. They finished the game on a 10-3 run, winning 25-18.
Third-set struggles seemed to arise early as the Bobcats went down 4-1, but they were able to recover. They pulled the game to ties at multiple points. And just like many other sets, they pulled away in the late points with Bailey Blair sealing a 25-22 win.
Ohio went on 6-0 run in the fourth set to go from down 15-13 to up 19-15. Akron was able to fight back, getting to 20 points, but the Bobcats were able to close out the set 25-20. Torre Kildow hit a massive kill to seal the 3-1 win.
Sophomore Opposite Hitter Bailey Blair led the team with 25 kills over the weekend on a 22% kill percentage. Freshman Outside Hitter Rose Mahin was second with 24 kills, with 17 of them coming in the second game on a 36.8% kill percentage.
Mahin’s fellow freshman Rowan Kelly started all the sets for the Bobcats at setter, providing 84 assists with only three errors.
Blair, last year’s MAC Freshman of the Year, spoke on the impact Kelly and Mahin have made: “I think it’s great to have freshmen that come in and play at a high level because it pushes all of us that are already here to continue getting better.”
Blair also spoke on the goal for this season and upcoming MAC play, “I think all of us just want a MAC Championship, and I don’t think anyone on this team really cares about personal accolades”
Senior Outside Hitter Gentry Brown also spoke on upcoming MAC play “We’re super excited. We are using these first two weekends as this is what we can do and honestly we can be better than we are playing. So I’m excited to show everybody what we actually have.”
Ohio will head to Bowling Green, who upset the Bobcats in the MAC tournament last season, on Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.to take on the Falcons.
The Zips host Western Michigan on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.