Ohio will host its long-awaited Bobcat Invitational in the Convocation Center this weekend in a double-header against Morgan State University and the University of North Carolina Asheville on Friday before taking on Mercyhurst University on Saturday.
After some tough sledding in the non conference slate against highly-ranked opponents, this could be a perfect time for the Bobcats to reset and capitalize on their home court. All three of their opponents come from smaller conferences than the Mid-American Conference, and Mercyhurst in particular, only just became a Division One institution two years ago.
Match one and two information
Opponent: Morgan State Bears and UNC Asheville Bulldogs
Location: OU Convocation Center
Time: Friday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here and here
Match three information
Opponent: Mercyhurst Lakers
Location: Convocation Center
Time: Saturday at 2 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Morgan State will enter Athens with a 1-8 overall record. This is a massive change in competition level for the Bobcats, compared with the likes of Penn State and Stanford last weekend. Ohio could be able to take advantage of this matchup, and will surely be hopeful not to become Morgan State’s second win.
UNC Asheville is off to a blazing hot 10-2 start this season, and has one more match against Mercyhurst, prior to taking on Ohio, that could improve or hurt that record. Mercyhurst currently holds a 3-6 record, including being swept by Youngstown State, an opponent that the Bobcats are familiar with from earlier in the season when they took down the Penguins 3-1.
Player spotlight
Ohio: Opposite hitter Bailey Blair’s sophomore season is off to a strong start. She has been the Bobcats’ leader through their first eight matches, and she currently paces the team in both total points and kills, with 96.5 and 86, respectively.
Blair is a powerful force on the front line and a dependable source of production for the Bobcats. She will certainly be looking to make a strong statement in the team’s first home stand this weekend.
Morgan State: Senior Jada Williams is an all-around star from the middle blocker/outside hitter position. She currently leads the Bears on both sides of the ball with impressive numbers of 88 kills and 25 blocks. She has also tallied 56 digs so far this season, a lofty count for a primarily front-line player.
Williams and Blair facing off against each other Friday morning should be a very entertaining matchup above the net.
UNC Asheville: Izzy Perkins is a very strong defensive force for UNC Asheville. Her play has embodied her defensive specialist title this season, becoming a key factor for the Bulldogs through the first 12 matches of her sophomore season. She currently holds a team-high 115 digs, and that ability to constantly keep plays alive has greatly benefited the Bulldogs.
Perkins is a name to keep an eye out for in the Convo this weekend.
Mercyhurst: Julia Shepherd, graduate student and opposite hitter, currently leads the Lakers by a wide margin in kills, with 119 in only nine matches. She is also a defensive force above the net, as her 24 blocks also pace the team.
Her prowess around the net will be an issue for coach Kenzie Brinkman to focus her game plan around come Saturday.
Weekend outlook
The change of pace in strength of competition and the switch to home-court advantage should strongly benefit the Bobcats this weekend. However, Ohio cannot overlook these opponents just because of their lower pedigrees in comparison to past opponents.
Ohio’s home-opener weekend will provide it with three opportunities to pick up valuable wins in the midst of a three-game losing streak. The Bobcats will surely be hopeful to put on a show in their first matches at home and could use the support of students and fans to help them get past their recent stretch of losses and begin the home slate strongly.
@JackMuldowney1
