The Ohio volleyball team fought through the weekend and now stands alone as the only undefeated team in the Mid-American Conference.
The No. 22 Bobcats prevailed in a five-game match against Bowling Green on Friday night, 3-2 (30-26, 30-23, 26-30, 25-30, 15-10). The Bobcats snapped the Falcons' 17-match winning streak and, with the win, handed them their first loss in conference play.
Ohio (20-3, 12-0 MAC) took control of its season as the victory placed the 'Cats atop the MAC East Division. The Bobcats then traveled to Miami (12-13, 8-4 MAC) yesterday and cruised past the RedHawks in a decisive three-game sweep for the match. This win ended Miami's eight-match winning streak.
To stop two tough teams on the road and to be able to control our destiny now is great
Ohio coach Geoff Carlston said. It is so tough to go undefeated in this conference but it almost seems like what you have to do to win it.
After winning the first two games against Bowling Green (22-3, 11-1 MAC), Ohio dropped the next two forcing the fifth. It was just the second time the Bobcats had to play a five-game match ' the first being a loss to Wisconsin ' this season. The Bobcats then used a great offensive performance, with a .476 hitting percentage, to take the game and the match victory.
We put together a real good game five and only had one hitting error Carlston said. We got the momentum back and the team showed a lot of heart to get the win under the circumstances.
The circumstances were stacked against the Bobcats as Bowling Green's Anderson Arena was packed with 1,305 people. The hostile environment was the toughest the team had faced in the MAC season, Carlston said.
Middle blocker Amanda Andersen, who racked up 13 kills and seven digs in the match, said the crowd had the Falcons a little flustered.
They had the advantage with their crowd. They were going nuts. I couldn't even hear myself talk
Andersen said. It came down to us looking each other in the eye and knowing we had to get it done. We made the better plays and showed why we are the better team.
Outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn collected 12 kills and 17 digs in a match she described simply as intense.
Our back was against the wall and we knew we had to win and finish out strong
Blackburn said. It was great to go in and beat them on their jam-the-gym night. When we made a good play we let everyone know
it was intense.
The Bobcats now have the ability to control their route to win their fourth-straight MAC title. They will play Bowling Green and Miami in Athens on Nov. 10 and 11.
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