Ohio opened its season on the road when it played in the Sports Imports Classic at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. It faced No. 4 Washington and Northern Kentucky but struggled to find success and left Columbus without a win.
Ohio swept by No. 4 Washington
The rust seemed to have not been completely shaken off in Ohio’s first match of the season against Washington. The Huskies made quick work of the Bobcats in three sets (25-21, 25-20, 25-14) and dominated on offense.
Caitlin O’Farrell led the Bobcats with 11 kills. The Bobcats as a whole totaled 37. Olivia Margolies and Caroline Clippard, who both contributed nine kills, also shouldered much of the Bobcats’ offensive output.
Service errors cost Ohio several chances to score. It committed 12 service errors and handed Washington many of its points on a silver platter.
Ohio loses to Northern Kentucky 3-2
The Bobcats came out on fire against the Norse and took the first set 25-15 and held the lead for the duration of the set. However, their strong first set was offset by 18 service errors throughout the match, and the Bobcats were defeated by the Norse 3-2 (25-15, 21-25, 25-23, 25-27, 8-15).
Maggie Nedoma earned 23 kills Saturday to tie her career high, and she also recorded 10 digs to earn her first double-double of the season.
Sophomore Tria McLean recorded a career-high 52 assists Saturday and almost recorded her own double-double with eight digs in five sets.
Things to note
Clippard impressed in her first two matches for Ohio. The freshman tied Margolies for the second-most kills against Washington and recorded the third-most kills in the match against Northern Kentucky. Clippard was a standout at Mercy McAuley High School in Cincinnati and might find similar success at Ohio.
Parker Kwiatkowski played in her first match for Ohio since transferring from Wake Forest. The setter played in both the Friday and Saturday matches where she collected five assists.
Ashton Webb also returned to the court this weekend. The junior was absent from Ohio’s roster last season but is back in action. She played in four sets against Northern Kentucky.
What’s next
Ohio travels to Normal, Illinois, for the Red & White Invitational. It will begin the invitational with a match against Illinois State on Sept. 3, followed by matches against Marquette and University of Illinois-Chicago on Sept. 4.
