Ohio (6-4) won its two matchups at The Convo in the Bobcat Invitational with big help from former and new members of the team.
The first big contributor was Torre Kildow. Kildow, now a senior, has been with the Bobcats since her freshman year and was a huge contributor last year. Now, as a senior, she has taken her game to another level. After not playing in the matchups last weekend against Penn State and Stanford, she returned Friday, putting up 22 kills and a block in two games.
“We were taught to be really aggressive, and we did that by swinging high and hard," Kildow said. "Our setters were really good at giving us good balls and out-of-systems. I think we forced our hitters in out-of-system plays that make us score as a whole.”
One of the freshman Bobcats, Rose Mahin, also had herself a day. Following Bailey Blair, who took over the Mid-American Conference last year, Mahin looks to be her successor. She led the team in kills during the Morgan State game, tallying 14 and finished the day with 23 total. Mahin also had 19 digs, 11 of which also came in the Morgan State game.
“They’re both really athletic players," Ohio Head Coach Brinkman said. "I think we’ve been struggling the past two weekends with finding good balls for them, specifically out of system. Today, I thought we did a really good job of getting them perfect balls out of the system so that they can go make shots.”
Another one of Friday’s stars was freshman Rowan Kelly. She tallied 32 assists across both contests and also contributed a block. Over these past two seasons, Ohio was able to gather numerous different freshmen who are ready to contribute right away with big minutes and big play.
“They do not play like freshmen, " Coach Brinkman said. "For me, I think it’s amazing. It’s why we recruit the people that we are recruiting and the clubs that Bailey (Blair), Rose (Mahin), and Rowan (Kelly) played for are high-level clubs that win a lot, so they’re ready when they get here.”
Blair has also continued her dominant play as a Bobcat this season. Her sophomore campaign is just as strong as the freshman one. Blair had 18 kills and 10 digs, helping propel Ohio to two wins on Friday. As the reigning MAC freshman of the year, she wants to continue that play.
“Obviously last year, I had some good swings and got some good kills in big moments, but I think there were also moments that my teammates were getting good digs and good touches and trusting me with the ball," Blair said. "I just want to keep continuing to take care of those balls when we're playing good defense and keeping the ball up.”
To finish off the Bobcat frontline with another returning face, senior Emily Waddell held strong on defense. Waddell recorded a much-needed three blocks against UNC Asheville, leading to the three-set sweep.
“We’ve been working really hard on our defense as a team," Waddell said. "That’s an area we really needed to improve, so I’ve been really focusing on getting my feet there and pressing on a block, especially after playing teams like Penn State and Stanford.”
