Ohio has faced adversity throughout the season that could’ve gotten in the way of its goals, but after sealing a Mid-American Conference regular season title Saturday, the Bobcats are now trying to fulfill their ultimate goal of winning the MAC Tournament.
Since 2000, the Bobcats (24-4, 14-2 MAC) have recorded a 26-5 record in the MAC Tournament, including seven consecutive titles from 2003-10. But the Bobcats will head into this weekend after being cut short of a MAC Championship each of the past two seasons in the second round.
“To win (the MAC Championship,) you’re going to have to play three straight days,” coach Ryan Theis said. “We’re going to have to put everything out there to beat these MAC teams. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day and we’ll have to be fresh going in (to the weekend).”
Strong Finish
After success throughout the regular season, five Bobcats received individual MAC honors Thursday, highlighted by sophomore setter Abby Gilleland, who was named the MAC player of the year and the MAC setter of the year. Kelly Lamberti, Alexis Pinson, Karin Bull and Gilleland were named to the All-MAC First Team, while Katie Horton was named to the MAC’s All-Freshman Team.
Ohio defeated Kent State and Central Michigan in straight-set sweeps this past weekend, as opposed to the four matches that the Bobcats took to five sets in the past month.
“Getting two sweeps in the end of the season is really important because it boosts our confidence,” said Liis Kullerkann, a redshirt junior outside hitter. “We want to be confident and win strong.”
Bracketology
Ohio’s half of the bracket includes an opening-round matchup against Kent State, along with two other teams it defeated earlier this season.
If the Bobcats win at noon on Friday, they will advance to face the winner of Bowling Green and Northern Illinois on Saturday. The Falcons were picked to win the MAC East prior to the season, while the Huskies are the same team that ended the Bobcats’ run to a championship in the semi-finals last season.
If Ohio wins its first two matches, it would compete in the title game on Sunday against the winner of the other half of the bracket, which features No. 2 Toledo and No. 3 Ball State.
The Cardinals gave the Bobcats their only home MAC loss this season, which was a match that Ohio wishes it could play again, as junior outside hitter Kelly Lamberti was injured during the third set. The team believes that without that setback, Ohio would have finished undefeated at home in MAC play.
Although the Spire Institute in Geneva is a neutral site, other teams will give top-seeded Ohio their best shot, so consistent efforts will be important this weekend, according to Theis.
“The last two years the one seed has not gotten out of there with a championship,” Theis said. “It’s about being good that weekend. We’ll hopefully be able to put three performances together and get out of there with a MAC Tournament Championship.”
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This article appeared in print under the headline "Ohio Volleys for 'Ship."
