Sports
Ohio Extends Set Streak to 12
< < Back toThe Ohio Bobcats extended their set streak to 12 in a three-set win over Akron at home Friday: 25-20, 25-23, 25-17. Each of Ohio’s nine wins this season has now come in straight sets.
The second set proved to be very difficult for the Bobcats early on. Akron took a 13-7 lead midway through the set but the Bobcats were able to rebound with a run of their own. A great block from the defense late in the contest shifted the momentum for the ‘Cats, who were able to close the set with an 18-10 rally.
“I think without questions it was a team effort to come back from that (13-7) deficit,” said head coach Ryan Theis. “I think the biggest thing was that we did all the little things right when we were down to come back and get the win. We put service pressure on them constantly, we didn’t miss any (serves). It was a good effort."
When the ‘Cats went down midway through the second set, Theis pulled freshman setter Abby Gilleland, replacing her with senior Leah Petrovich.
“We just needed a little bit of a spark and Leah is that. She’s a huge leader on our team. She’s somebody that everybody on the team looks up to and respects,” said Theis. “We just needed a little bit of a shot in the arm at that moment and I thought she could provide it for us, and she did.”
The Bobcats had no troubles in the final set, firing off with an 8-0 lead, forcing an Akron timeout. Akron showed a little fight midway through, charging back to within four, but the Bobcats prevailed in the end.
Ohio jumped off to an early 9-5 lead in the first set, but the Zips were able to get back into the set, rallying with a 6-1 run. From there, an ace and several astonishing digs from freshman libero Meredith Ashy gave the Bobcats momentum to close the set in fashion.
Ashy finished with a team high 15 digs and Chelsea Bilger closed with a team high 17 kills. Gilleland contributed 18 assists while Petrovich added 16.
The Bobcats improve to 4-1 in the Mid American Conference while the Zips drop to 2-3 in the conference. Ohio’s next game will be against MAC opponent Buffalo at the Convocation Center October 6 at 7 p.m.