Since the start of the season, Ohio’s goal has been to win a Mid-American Conference tournament, and the Bobcats took a step in that direction by clinching an outright MAC regular-season title Saturday.
The Bobcats (24-4, 14-2 MAC) swept Central Michigan in straight sets and secured the MAC title for the second consecutive season and the eighth time in program history.
Junior outside hitter Kelly Lamberti and sophomore libero Meredith Ashy each recorded their 1,000th career digs Saturday, with Lamberti now just one of three players in program history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in the rally-scoring era.
Lamberti posted her team-leading 16th double-double of the season, as she recorded 10 kills and 10 digs. Ashy added a match-high 16 digs, along with two assists.
“I think it’s amazing how she got injured in the middle of the season and how she’s been wanting to practice with us (since then),” said Liis Kullerkann, a redshirt junior outside hitter. “That’s what I love about her, how strong and tough she is and how she just fights through (her injury).”
The Bobcats handled the Chippewas (11-17, 5-11 MAC) in the first two sets with wins of at least 10 points, but Central Michigan battled during the third set and led 18-16, before Ohio closed out the victory on a 9-1 run.
“(Central Michigan) is always a tough competitor so you’re always excited when you come out and win,” Lamberti said. “They come out with a lot of energy and have great defense and hitters, so we have to handle it all at once.”
Sophomore middle blocker Karin Bull registered eight kills, including three during the second set, while sophomore setter Abby Gilleland notched a team-high 28 assists.
Saturday’s win came after Alexis Pinson, Mollie Geske, Kellie Turner and Kullerkann were recognized for their contributions to the program on Senior Night.
“It’s such a great group (of seniors),” coach Ryan Theis said. “They’re just everything you could ask for in a senior group, and I’m very happy for them to have a successful championship season their last year.”
Pinson, a graduate student middle blocker, and Kullerkann each finished with a pair of blocks. Ohio out-blocked Central Michigan 9-3.
No. 1 Ohio will face No. 8 Kent State during the first round of the MAC Tournament at noon Friday at the Spire Institute in Geneva. Ohio has been ousted during its second-round match each of the past two seasons.
“We’ve been talking about (the MAC title) for a couple of weeks now, and we don’t like sharing it,” Kullerkann said. “We really wanted to clinch the tournament title on our own. Our next goal is (winning) the MAC Tournament.”
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