The Ohio volleyball team stretched its winning streak to six matches Wednesday night with a three-game win against Mid-American Conference opponent Kent State, 30-20, 32-30, 30-24.
Ohio improved to 12-2 overall and 4-0 in the MAC. The Golden Flashes fell to 6-6 and 3-2 in the conference. The Bobcats are now 22-1 in MAC play, including postseason, during the last two years.
We had a couple of players make some great plays when we needed it
coach Geoff Carlston said. It was really a team effort.
Outside hitter Ashley Elliott led the Bobcat attack with 12 kills and a .417 attack percentage. Elliott is ranked in the top 20 in the country in blocks.
Outside hitters Stephanie Blackburn and Julia Winkfield recorded 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Stephanie Blackburn had a .375 hitting percentage, while Winkfield's was .300.
Stephanie Blackburn also led the team with 11 digs, followed by libero Michaele Blackburn with 10. The team totaled 38 digs.
Ohio out-blocked the Golden Flashes 11-7, with Elliott contributing four. Middle blocker Melissa Griffin added three solo blocks, a career high. Ohio also out-hit Kent State with a .266 to .128 hitting percentage advantage. The Bobcats had a 52-38 kill advantage over the Golden Flashes.
Setter Briana Adamovsky added 42 assists.
During game one, the Bobcats came out strong and pulled away early, but the second game was tougher. Kent State stayed close to Ohio throughout the game but lost on a decisive kill by outside hitter Erin Fiene.
It felt good to come off the bench and help out the team Fiene said.
The third game was similar to the first as Ohio put a few points on the board early and quickly pulled away by six. Kent State was unable to bridge the gap, giving the Bobcats the third game and another conference victory.
With the win, the team remains in first in the MAC East Division.
The win is important because we have five games on the road and we need to stay focused
Winkfield said.
The Bobcats will continue conference play on the road against Central Michigan at 7 p.m. Saturday.
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