Sports

Ohio Off To Best MAC Start Since ’06

Posted on: Friday, October 31, 2014

Ohio volleyball is off to its best start in seven years after defeating Kent State University Thursday night 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 25-27, 25-22) on the road.

The ‘Cats remain undefeated in Mid-American-Conference play and extended their winning streak to twelve matches with the victory.

“We are happy to earn a conference win, even if it wasn’t the best volleyball we’ve played,” coach Deane Webb said. “I am thankful that our team played hard and played together, and we emotionally responded well in tough situations.”

Ohio has been a strong serving team all season long, but was inconsistent against the Golden Flashes. The team totaled 13 service errors on the night, with six in the first set alone, but also dished out eight service aces.

Freshman outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek had recorded five of the team’s eight aces and also led the Bobcats in kills. The Chagrin Falls native posted 18 kills in her return to northeastern Ohio.

“She was pretty amped up to start the game,” Webb said. “I think at the beginning of the match she may have been too amped up. It took a couple of swings, but once she settled down she had a good match for us tonight.”

The third set proved to be the pivotal moment for the Golden Flashes to gain momentum towards a victory. After 15 ties and five lead changes, a kill followed by a block from KSU gave them the set three win.

Going into set four, KSU seemed to have the momentum on their side, despite losing an early lead. Ohio gained its largest lead of the set, 18-13, only to have KSU respond with a 7-2 run to tie the set at 20. Both teams would exchange points until a Golden Flashes blocking error set up match point for the Bobcats. Junior libero Meredith Ashy’s lone ace of the match sealed the victory for Ohio.

The Bobcats will look to extend their win streak and remain unbeaten in the MAC Saturday at 7 p.m. when Eastern Michigan University visits the Convocation Center.

“We have a short turnaround before playing a very good EMU team,” Webb said. “They have several dynamic players, and we’ll need to play better Saturday than we did tonight.”