With a third straight Mid-American Conference regular season championship secured, the Ohio women's volleyball team now will focus on trying to win a third straight MAC tournament.
The Bobcats, (26-3, 16-0 MAC) fresh off their second straight undefeated MAC season, have won 18 matches in a row overall and have a first-round bye for the tournament.
The Bobcats were one of four teams to earn a bye and not have to play in the first-round matches played at campus locations.
It's great to have the bye
coach Geoff Carlston said. The teams playing on Tuesday definitely have a disadvantage to the other teams. I can't recall a team that has won it having to play four matches.
The players also are pleased with the bye, which gives them extra time to rest and balance time studying for final exams.
It's really nice; we don't have to worry about going anywhere and playing and being tired the next days outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn said. With exams this week it is so much nicer and a giant stress reliever for the team.
But having the bye is not all fun and games for the Bobcats. They know they will have to face either the nine-seed Akron or eight-seed Northern Illinois on Friday.
Even though the Bobcats swept the Zips twice this season and beat the Huskies 3-1, the 'Cats are not taking any teams lightly at this time of year.
There's always upsets; things don't work out the way you expect
Carlston said. We'll be ready
and we will be playing well.
Carlston's players know what can happen in the MAC Tournament as well. Setter Savanah Parra will be on her third trip to the tournament and said she knows how tough it can be.
We will be well prepared for any team we play
and there are a lot of tough teams in the MAC
Parra said. Anyone we face will be a challenge
but we are ready to work for that and compete against them.
Although the Bobcats can not focus on an individual opponent yet, the team knows what it can do to be ready.
The key for us is to be aggressive in everything and never be timid
Carlston said. We must be attacking all the time
keeping the pressure on defense.
