Ohio (7-4) closes out the Bobcat Invitational and its non-Mid-American Conference play with a win over Mercyhurst (4-8). The Bobcats took the first two sets of the match with Mercyhurst sneaking in a third set win. Ohio closed it out in the fourth set with great play to sweep the invitational.
A key component to Ohio’s success was the great defensive play at the front line as the Bobcats doubled Mercyhurst’s blocks, totaling 12 blocks. Cienna Lapsley was the standout in this category, recording three solo blocks and aggressively attacking every ball that flew slightly over the net. Numerous other players like Rose Mahin and Olivia Gardner also contributed blocks.
“We did a really good job following the game plan and making sure we were set up in the right spots,” Ohio Head Coach Kenzie Brinkman said.
Ohio instantly got on the board in the first set and that would be the story for the first two sets. Despite Mercyhurst fighting and even taking the lead at some points, it never seemed like the Bobcats lost control of the set, always battling back to scrap together points. Torre Kildow had a very good first set, recording eight kills along with a block. The set finished with a score of 25-22.
“We pass the ball really well,” Brinkman said. “I think that allows us to spread our offense, so we don’t have just one attacker that’s going off every game. I have four different attacks that are poking all at one time.”
The second set was an even bigger beat down by Ohio, with Mercyhurst struggling to string together points. Meanwhile Ohio would get multiple long point streaks going, being able to build a lead that allowed the team to make mistakes. The block party also continued in the second set, with Ohio having four blocks. Ohio closed out the second set with a four-point run, leading to a final score of 25-16.
Ohio did let off the gas pedal a little too much in the third set, resulting in a Mercyhurst comeback. This set seemed so out of place in a game where the Bobcats looked poised to win it easily, and Mercyhurst instantly launched up to a 4-0 lead. Ohio managed another point, but Mercyhurst would send a barrage of four more points over burying Ohio in a hole it couldn't dig itself out of. This set would be the inverse of the last one, with the score being 25-16 and Ohio looking completely out of sorts, making lots of small mistakes not seen earlier in the match.
“Do not be comfortable,” Brinkman said. “We told them after set two, Mercyhurst is a great team, and they were going to come with some passion and fire in set three. They weren’t going to roll over, and I think we just took our foot off the pedal.”
The fourth set started out just like the previous one but slightly worse for Ohio, as Mercyhurst momentum translated to seven unanswered points. Ohio would rally and fight back until they tied up the game 14-14 with back-to-back service aces from Emily Waddell propelling Ohio into the lead. Mercyhurst would continue to prod and jab at Ohio, but the Bobcats would close out this set strongly with a 25-20 score.
“The vibes of the team are great, Coach Brinkman said. I mean, last year we were having a very different conversation. I’m just proud of them for staying true to it.”
Boasting a three game winning streak, Ohio will begin its MAC play now, feeling confident. The team will travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan to play Eastern Michigan.
bg326422@ohio.edu
