The Ohio volleyball team will begin its quest to defend the Mid-American Conference title this weekend when it plays host to Ball State (6-5) and Miami (2-7).
The matches this weekend will be Ohio's second and third at home this season, but its first since Sept. 1, when Virginia Tech visited The Convo. The Bobcats played nine straight away matches.
It will be nice to finally have a home game
outside hitter Julia Winkfield said. Not everyone will be against us.
Not only will Ohio be defending its title, but it also will be defending its 18-match home winning streak. The Bobcats have not lost a home match since Sept. 28, 2002, when they dropped a four-game decision to Ball State.
Outside hitter Katie Smith said Ohio has a tough task ahead in defending its title.
The MAC is becoming more of a powerhouse and all the teams have had a tough preseason Smith said. We have to come out and play our game.
During last season's first matches against Miami and Ball State, Ohio came out on top and swept both conference foes. Against the RedHawks, the Bobcats won in three games, 30-22, 30-18, 30-18. Ohio also swept the Cardinals, 30-23, 30-27, 30-23.
On Friday, Ohio will take on Ball State, one of the coaches' picks to win the MAC, along with Ohio and Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals are averaging 15.5 kills, 19.4 digs and 3.1 blocks per game.
Ohio will look to slow Cardinals outside attacker Sarah Obras, who has tallied 178 kills, 155 digs and 196 points.
Ohio's second contest is Saturday against the RedHawks, who dropped three matches in Oxford last weekend.
Miami is a quick team and a scrappy team coach Geoff Carlston said. We will have to be ready to play.
The Redhawks, who have picked up only two wins thus far this season, are led by outside hitters Tara Buroker and Jeanna Staun, who pace the team in kills and digs.
During the past week, the Bobcats have been focusing on passing the ball well and playing solidly in hopes of keeping its home winning streak alive.
We are going to savor and enjoy this weekend at home
Carlston said. If we can get out of the weekend with two wins that will be great.
Ohio opens MAC play at 7 p.m. tonight in The Convo against Ball State and takes on Miami at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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INCOMING: Outside hitter Julia Winkfield executes a spike during practice last week.
