Ohio (9-4 overall, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) opened Mid American Conference play strong this past weekend, defeating two of Michigan’s three intra-conference schools on the road. The Bobcats defeated Eastern Michigan University on Friday before traveling to Central Michigan University and earning another win on Saturday.
Friday’s matchup with EMU pitted Ohio against a squad that, unlike the Bobcats, had already gained experience in MAC play this season. The Eagles took down CMU earlier in the season, but that did not translate against Ohio. The Bobcats took the first two sets comfortably, 25-16 and 25-19, before EMU punched back with a tight 26-24 win in set three.
However, Ohio was able to counter the Eagles’ resistance, finishing the match with a 25-22 win in set four to take a 3-1 win. It is always positive to take care of any road match in four sets, but it is especially valuable to begin conference play with a convincing win on the road.
The Bobcats kept up against CMU the next day, despite having to travel. They added insult to injury for the Chippewas, as they entered the game 0-14 with only two sets won all season long. Ohio did not let CMU break that streak, as it dominated on Saturday with a 3-0 sweep, winning 25-19, 25-20 and 25-19.
The Bobcats took care of business to avoid becoming CMU’s first win of the season. However, regardless of the strength of this opponent, the Bobcats are now 2-0 in MAC play, and there is nothing more they could ask for.
Player Spotlight
Rowan Kelly, freshman and setter, kept up her high-level play in both matches over the weekend. Kelly shined as a potent playmaker all season long. She leads the team by a wide margin with 323 total assists, a mark that also currently has her at third in the MAC in assists.
She totaled 46 assists against EMU and 36 against CMU, continuing the playmaking that bolsters the Bobcats’ offense. She constantly sets up her hitters perfectly for them to finish kills, and did just that once again over the weekend. Kelly is having a stellar freshman season and has already established herself as Ohio’s top setter.
Ohio is back at home next weekend to continue MAC play with a two-game series against Akron University on Friday and Saturday. The team will look to extend its five-game win streak, and being back in The Convocation Center could help them greatly in trying to do so.
