The Bobcats are riding high after their dominant 3-0 start to the season last weekend at the Marshall Invitational. Now, they will be back on the road as they head to Indianapolis on Thursday for another three-match shootout-style tournament, the Hampton Inn Invitational.
Ohio will look to ride the momentum from its season-opening trio of wins as it prepares to take on Indiana University Indianapolis on Thursday, Youngstown State University on Friday and Butler University this weekend. Having only one match per day, as opposed to the double-header they faced last Friday, could be a valuable change of pace for the Bobcats to capitalize on this weekend.
Match One Information:
Opponent: IU Indy Jaguars
Location: The Jungle - IU Indy Gymnasium
Time: Thursday at 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Match Two Information:
Opponent: Youngstown State Penguins
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
Time: Friday at 1 p.m.
There are no broadcasts listed for this match. Follow live stats here
Match Three Information:
Opponent: Butler Bulldogs
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
Time: Saturday at 5 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Ohio enters the weekend with a tournament-leading 3-0 record after its stellar wins over Bucknell, Niagara and Marshall. IU Indy is sitting at 1-2 but recently displayed an impressive performance in a narrow 3-2 loss to a serious high-major foe in the Washington Huskies.
Youngstown State will roll into Indianapolis with a 2-1 record after sweeping both Mercyhurst and Canisius but falling short against Duquesne. The big fish of this weekend’s tournament is the Butler Bulldogs, the lone high-major squad competing out of the Big East. They currently hold a 2-1 record highlighted by a win over Clemson.
Player Spotlight
Ohio: Freshman outside hitter Rose Mahin cemented her name as one to keep an eye out for this season with her play last weekend. Her 31 kills and team-high 30 digs earned her MVP honors at the Marshall Invitational, opening her college career on the highest of notes.
Mahin will certainly be hungry to keep up that level of play this coming weekend, and she could yet again be a driving force toward the Bobcats’ performance in Indianapolis.
IU Indy: Senior setter Grace Purichia has been a major contributor for the Jaguars thus far. As the team’s top setter, she has tallied 100 assists through its first three matches. The team’s second-leading assist count is only eight, making Purichia a threat this weekend as the catalyst to IU Indy’s offensive success.
Youngstown State: Outside hitter Kylie Surratt has begun her junior season blazing hot above the net. She has laid down 40 kills through only ten sets and also leads the Penguins with 46.5 total points. Surratt vs. Mahin could be a very entertaining matchup on the outside this Friday.
Butler: Jersey Loyer has been a valuable piece for Butler through the first three matches of her junior season, constantly keeping plays alive with 56 digs from the defensive specialist position. Having an all-hustle player like Loyer who can get low and keep the ball in the air will benefit the Bulldogs as they face Ohio’s powerful front line of Mahin and Bailey Blair, among others.
Weekend Outlook
Now that all of these teams have settled into their seasons, the Hampton Inn Invitational is shaping up to be a very competitive and entertaining weekend of volleyball. For the Bobcats, getting a taste of high-major competition for the first time on Saturday against Butler will be a valuable test. Still, IU Indy and Youngstown State cannot be overlooked.
Be sure to tune in all weekend long to watch Ohio continue its 2026 season and attempt to remain undefeated.
