Before the Mid-American Conference Tournament begins later this month, Ohio will have two more chances earn a win and one chance to cap an undefeated season in conference play.
The Bobcats will try to end their season on a good note as they go on the road this weekend to face Xavier Friday and archrival Miami Saturday in the last weekend of dual meets of the season.
But Friday’s meet will not be the first time the Bobcats and Musketeers have faced off this season.
The teams met in the Zippy Invitational in December, an event that Ohio won.
Ohio coach Greg Werner said even though Ohio was able to see a majority of the Musketeers in Akron, a dual meet is a different than a tournament.
The Bobcats got the best of Xavier last year, as well, as they won 118-78 on the road.
The Bobcats are coming off a dual meet sweep of West Virginia and Ball State last weekend.
Donovan said last weekend’s pair of meets helped to prepare the squad for another set of back-to-back meets this weekend.
The team showed some fatigue in its win against Ball State last Saturday, after defeating West Virginia Friday.
“Now we know that we’ll have to make the adjustment so that on Saturday morning we’re ready to go because Miami’s definitely going to be our biggest challenge this year,” Donovan said. “They’re a very good team and we’re going to have to step up, especially in their own pool where they always swim really well.”
Miami is coming off a win against Bowling Green, and is responsible for ending Ball State’s winning streak of nine in a row.
The Bobcats will put their five-meet winning streak on the line when they face the RedHawks Saturday in Oxford.
Werner said he expects a spirited competition, not only because of the rivalry, but also because this is Miami’s last dual meet of the season as well.
“They’re our school rival as well as program rival and we’re looking for a great competition against them on Saturday,” Werner said.
“They know this is their last opportunity against a rival and a very good program in Xavier as well,” Werner said. “They know what’s on the line.”
Up Next
OHIO at Xavier
5 p.m. Friday
OHIO at Miami
2 p.m. Saturday
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