Ohio will travel to University Park, Pennsylvania this weekend to play its next pair of matches at Penn State University. The Bobcats currently hold a 4-2 record on the season, and have two high-level opportunities this weekend to hopefully build on that win total.
Wins will certainly be at a premium this weekend, though, and the Bobcats will need to be firing on all cylinders against No. 12 Penn State on Saturday and No. 4 Stanford on Sunday. Facing two nationally-ranked opponents in back-to-back matches is no easy task for any team, but coach Kenzie Brinkman scheduling these heavyweight matches proves her confidence in the Bobcats.
Match One Information:
Opponent: Penn State Nittany Lions
Location: Recreation Hall (University Park, Pa.)
Time: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Watch: B1G+
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Match Two Information:
Opponent: Stanford Cardinals
Location: Recreation Hall (University Park, Pa.)
Time: Sunday at 1 p.m.
Watch: B1G+
Follow live stats here
After last weekend’s disappointing 1-2 finish in Indianapolis, Ohio will look to return to its prime form displayed in its 3-0 start at the Marshall Invitational two weekends ago. The Bobcats will need to rediscover that level of play this weekend as they take on their highest-ranked opponents yet.
Penn State and Stanford both enter the weekend with stellar resumes, hence the national rankings they both hold. The Nittany Lions are currently 4-1 on the season, with their only loss coming to the No.3-ranked Kentucky Wildcats.
Stanford also enters the weekend at 4-1, after being upset by the Texas A&M Aggies last night. Despite that loss, Stanford still topped No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 15 Kansas earlier this season, leading to the team rightfully being ranked as highly as it is.
Penn State and Stanford will also face off against each other this weekend in an exciting, ranked matchup on Friday at 6 p.m.
Player Spotlight
Ohio: Setter Rowan Kelly started her freshman year strongly through Ohio’s first six matches. Her 181 assists lead the team by a wide margin, and her playmaking prowess is very valuable thus far. She is also currently tied for the Bobcats’ second-most blocks, an impressive mark for a setter.
The Bobcats’ fearsome front line of Bailey Blair, Torre Kildow and Rose Mahin thrives above the net, but Kelly is the one setting the table for those hitters. The freshman phenom will look to continue her hot start this weekend.
Penn State: Kennedy Martin, senior right-side hitter, is a driving force behind the Nittany Lions’ 4-1 start. She currently leads the team in both total points and kills, with 75 and 61, respectively. She also shines on the defensive side of the ball, holding respectable numbers of 37 digs and 13 blocks through five matches.
Martin will be a fearsome threat for coach Brinkman to focus on containing this Saturday.
Stanford: Junior middle blocker Lizzy Andrew used her 6-foot-5 frame to her advantage thus far in the 2026 season. She has dominated on both sides of the ball, tallying 63 kills and 28 blocks to lead the way for Stanford.
Andrew is a major contributor to Stanford’s hot start, and she will surely be eager to stay the course in University Park this weekend.
Weekend Outlook
These matches will be a display of three teams all striving for different takeaways once the weekend comes to a close. Penn State will look to prove its worth in the national rankings by defeating No. 4 Stanford, while Stanford hopes to continue its dominant status with two more wins, including an opportunity for a third ranked win.
Ohio will be the clear underdog in both of its looming matches, but it cannot enter the weekend with an underdog mindset. The Bobcats should be hungry to get back in the win column and return to their opening weekend form, and they cannot let Penn State’s and Stanford’s rankings get in their heads.
@JackMuldowney1
