After winning matches against Penn and Iona, the Ohio volleyball team clinched the UAlbany Tournament title Saturday afternoon, defeating the host Great Danes (6-2) in four games, 30-21, 22-30, 30-18, 30-17.
Coach Geoff Carlston saw the Albany match as an important step for the Bobcats (8-1).
We've been trying to focus on how we win and how we play the game
Carlston said. The Albany match was it and that's how we want to play everyday. That's exactly what we want to put on the court everyday. That was our strongest match of the year so far.
The Great Danes only could manage to connect at a .198 percentage, thanks to the efforts of defensive specialist Michaele Blackburn, outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn and setter Savanah Parra who tallied 20, 15 and 12 digs, respectively.
Led on the attack by outside hitter Holly Schetzsle and middle blocker Julia Winkfield's 22 and 13 kills, respectively, the Bobcats' offense hit at a .331 clip.
In the Albany games we all clicked
Winkfield said. We all played really well together
and it felt great for everyone to be able to contribute to the win.
With 37 kills, five digs and three solo blocks on the weekend, Winkfield was named MVP and garnered all-tournament honors. Michaele Blackburn and Schetzsle also earned all-tournament selections.
Winkfield's two blocks against Iona moved her to fifth all-time on Ohio's solo block list with 109.
The Bobcats opened up the tournament sweeping Penn (1-2), 30-23, 30-16, 30-25 and holding the Quakers' offense to a dismal .070 hitting percentage.
Leading the Ohio defense were Stephanie Blackburn and defensive specialist Molly Mangan, who contributed 13 and 10 digs respectively.
Steph and Molly played very well for us
Carlston said. Molly had a bit of a breakout match
and that is the kind of thing -the kind of play -that we're expecting all the freshmen to continue.
Middle blockers Melissa Griffin and Winkfield led the Bobcats' offense with 12 kills each, while Parra tallied 44 assists.
Next on the Bobcats' slate was the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions Iona (0-6), whom Ohio handled in four games, 30-20, 24-30, 30-13, 30-26.
During the match, Ohio held the Gaels to 38 kills while registering 65 of their own.
The Bobcat also outdug the Gaels by 21, as Michaele Blackburn, Stephanie Blackburn, Mangan and Griffin all recorded double-digit digs.
Next weekend, the Bobcats travel to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue, No. 16 Tennessee and Xavier.
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Kate Carrera
