Mollie Geske heard her name announced before the game for the first time Saturday night, and her performance reflected the honor she received.
The freshman defensive specialist earned her first-career start in Ohio's 3-1 win against Eastern Michigan after taking the first serve of the match for the Bobcats.
Geske went on to record a career-high 16 digs, a number that shattered her previous high of nine achieved in a 3-0 loss to Western Michigan Oct. 22.
I was actually pretty nervous
Geske said. I knew I was going to start serving. Serving is probably not my strongest skill in volleyball. So I just took deep breaths went back there and served the first point
got it in - pretty exciting.
The Shakopee, Minn., native struggled to get on the court at the beginning of the season. Through the first 14 games of the season, she played in only half. But her playing time has increased steadily, and she has been on the floor for 11 consecutive matches.
Coach Ryan Theis said after the match Saturday that Geske showed him she deserved the start and can expect more to come.
(Geske)'s just playing really well
Theis said. She's been playing really well at practice
she's played really well when we've given her chances and so we got to get her on the floor.
It makes us a little smaller. It takes away a bit of our back row attack, but she's picking up for more than that defensively.
Smaller Lineup
Starting Geske wasn't the only change Theis made to the lineup Saturday.
The Bobcats started three defensive specialists - Geske
junior Nicole Staverman and libero Meryl Bender-instead of outside hitters Mandy Nichols and Faith Robins in an attempt to solidify their defense behind the block.
With all three players in the lineup
Ohio out-dug an opposing team for only the sixth time in Mid-American Conference play. The Bobcats have won all six of those matches.
Bender said the smaller lineup takes a bit away from the offense
but it helps with ball control and gives the team more personnel options.
When there are smaller people back there, we kind of get a little more touches on the ball and we have a little bit more ball control and can move people in and out, she said. If Sue (Jacobi) needs to pull back and pass, she can. We can hide someone up if they are having a bad passing night.
Confident Atmosphere
After sweeping a weekend of play for the first time since the end of September
the Bobcats were excited in the locker room following the win over the Eagles.
Geske said the yells and screams in the locker room of the weekend contrasted the oppressive quiet and gloom after losses.
We couldn't stop talking, just laughing, smiling, Geske said. On games that we haven't won, it's so silent, but there was just so much commotion and it was just nonstop excitement.
Bender mentioned that the win could do a lot for the team in the overall picture of the season.
We're kind of just talking about how we're trying to get obviously better toward the end, she said. Getting a couple of wins in MAC play has boosted confidence and given us more confidence within each other.",",2,Sports,Matt Wagner,32918a.jpg,Ohio's Lexie Hartnett prepares to spike the ball down during the game against Eastern Michigan University Saturday. The Bobcats won 3-1. (Steven Turville | FOR THE POST),",",",","
32917,2010-11-03 01:20:00,High School Football: Athens' struggles supersede record,After an unexpected slow start and a damaging tornado
Athens' season will be more remembered for its ability to overcome adversity rather than its final record.,After an unexpected slow start and a damaging tornado
