Heading into the Purdue Mortar Board Premier last weekend, middle blocker Julia Winkfield was only 10 kills short of 1,000 career kills.
Just two games into the Bobcats' match with the Boilermakers, Winkfield was no longer short but had become the sixth Ohio volleyball player in team history to reach the milestone.
The coaches didn't even tell me
Winkfield said. One of the girls actually told me because they had brought their computer and looked online. I was so excited; I just started freaking out.
Winkfield not only hit the 1,000-kill mark, but she also passed it, tacking on 29 more kills before the end of the tournament, averaging 4.33 kills per game.
I'm really happy for Julia coach Geoff Carlston said. She's been through a lot to get where she is now and she deserves this.
Against Tennessee, Winkfield also tallied a season-best and team-high five total blocks, aiding the Bobcats' defensive effort as they stymied the Lady Volunteers' attack, allowing them to connect at only a .202 hitting percentage.
Thanks to her contribution on both offense and defense, Winkfield garnered this week's Mid-American Conference East Division player of the week award, marking the third time in four weeks that an Ohio player has earned the title.
This also is Winkfield's second consecutive weekend of marking her place in Ohio history. She moved to fourth on the Bobcats' all-time career total blocks list with 335.
Carlston said it is not only Winkfield's stats that impress him but her leadership skills as well.
Five years down the road no one's going to remember your stats
but they'll remember what kind of teammate and leader you were
he said. This year especially
with so many freshmen
it's just invaluable to us to have someone like her.
Blackburn moving on up
With her final dig against Tennessee, libero Michaele Blackburn moved into the fifth spot on Ohio's career digs chart with 1,109.
In the Bobcats' final match last Saturday against Xavier, Blackburn would compile 10 more digs, giving her a total of 1,119 in her three seasons thus far - only seven digs away from overtaking the fourth spot on the list.
Carlston said he holds an even higher expectation for the defensive specialist.
Once (Blackburn's) healthy she's going to easily shatter the all-time dig record for the university
he said.
Upsetting history
Ohio's clean sweep of the No. 16 Lady Volunteers Saturday afternoon marks the biggest upset in the history of the Ohio volleyball program. Until then, the Bobcats' 3-1 victory over No. 18 Pepperdine on Sept. 18, 2004, was the largest upset.
Middle blocker Melissa Griffin said the game against Tennessee was not only historic, but it also brought out the enthusiastic side of the Bobcats.
It felt so good; it was such a rush
she said. Such a high-energy game that was such a team effort and everyone was so excited; we were all screaming the whole time.
The win also marked Ohio's fourth win this season against a 2004 NCAA Tournament participant and third time in school history that the Bobcats have defeated a top 25 opponent.
With victories over No. 16 Tennessee and Xavier Saturday, the Ohio volleyball team improved its pre-conference schedule record to 10-2 this season, the best in program history.
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