Ohio (6-14 overall, 4-14 Mid-American Conference) extended its winning streak to four in a row after a tight win in five sets against Eastern Michigan (10-11 overall, 2-6 MAC). All four wins came against MAC opponents to improve the MAC record to an even 4-4. This win also puts the Bobcats right at the edge of the conference tournament with 10 games left in the regular season.
The Bobcats' rough start to MAC play, with an early 0-4 start, made the conference tournament look like a long shot, putting them at dead last in the MAC. But with the help of senior setter Kendall White, who had 53 assists and three kills Thursday night, coming off her MAC setter of the week award, mixed with Ohio’s great serving, they were able to battle back with four straight MAC wins to put them at 6th in the conference.
When Kendall White was asked about her fantastic play recently, she had only praise for her hitters.
“All my hitters are amazing, especially today," White said. "I think our passing was also great so I can get everyone involved. Sierra had a night as well (and) all of our hitters are crazy, and they make me look good.”
Another part of Ohio’s conference winning streak was its serving. Ohio had struggled with figuring out their aggressive serving during their losing streak, but through these past four games, they have been very good on serves. The Bobcats had a whopping 10 service aces tonight to help thug out the win.
Going into these final 10 games of the regular season, only four MAC wins aren’t going to cut it to make the tournament. The Bobcats are going to have to stay hot and keep their momentum going to close out the season in order to make the tournament.
The four-game winning streak is a great start, however, especially for a team that was riding a double-digit game losing streak at one point this season.
Sophomore outside hitter Sierra Evans had a great performance in the win over the Eagles with 10 kills and two blocks. She and the rest of the team recognize how important it is to pick up momentum in the MAC.
“It’s really important,“ Evans said. "I mean, it gives us momentum going into the next game. You don’t want to be going on a losing streak and going into the next game… we go on a good run and it feels good.”
Despite the recent success her team has had in the conference, Ohio head coach Kenzie Brinkman is still focused on the short-term future of the Bobcats.
“(It’s) day by day, that was a long five-setter, and we turn around and play at three tomorrow, so for us it’s just taking care of our bodies,” Brinkman said. “If we start thinking about the future and making it to the MAC tournament, then I think we’re going to miss out on a lot of things that we could keep doing.”
The Bobcats' tournament hopes are now more than alive after a strong four-game winning streak. With the help of teamwork and momentum, Ohio is attempting to make a late push for the tournament.
