The Bobcats kept their place atop the Mid-American Conference standings, defeating a pair of MAC West opponents during this weekend’s road trip.
Ohio (18-4, 8-2 MAC) defeated Northern Illinois and Western Michigan during the same trip for the first time since 2007 and the first time since coach Ryan Theis took the helm of the team.
“The challenge this weekend was to go on the road and put ourselves in a position to win two,” Theis said. “I’m really happy with how hard (the team) played and the resilience they showed.”
After dropping the first set Friday, the Bobcats came back to win the next three to down the Huskies 3-1, before then defeating the Broncos in a five-set contest.
Junior outside hitter Kelly Lamberti returned from last weekend’s ankle injury. Though she recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 15 digs and 11 kills Friday, she played only three of the five sets Saturday.
“She was so gutsy (Friday) night, and she just didn’t have anything left (on Saturday),” Theis said. “She wanted to try and play and wanted to give it a go, but there was nothing left.”
The Bobcats needed to come from behind during both matches to perform the sweep. Ohio was behind the eight ball Saturday, facing elimination in the fourth set, but it came back to win the final two sets.
“Mentally we needed to just focus and not get all frazzled,” freshman outside hitter Mallory Salis said. “We needed to just do what we do best.”
Both of Ohio’s weekend opponents were focused on digging the ball defensively, as opposed to being block-heavy like most MAC East teams, which presented a challenge for Ohio that it was able to overcome.
“They’re definitely fast-paced on offense,” sophomore libero Meredith Ashy said. “It is a little different that the East, but I think we adjusted really well.”
Friday, freshman outside hitter Katie Horton notched a career-high 13 kills, while redshirt junior outside hitter Liis Kullerkann registered four blocks and Ashy posted a team-high 19 digs.
Saturday, sophomore setter Abby Gilleland notched career highs in both assists (56) and digs (22), while also adding nine kills. Salis notched her second double-double in three matches, with a career-best 12 kills, 10 digs and two aces.
Two other players notched career-bests Saturday with sophomore middle blocker Karin Bull finishing with 14 kills and freshman setter Brooke Coleman adding 17 digs.
“Our balance was terrific, and now we’re in the hunt (for first in the MAC) again,” Theis said.
AB109410@ohiou.edu
@Alex_Busch91
