Ohio (3-14, 1-4 Mid-American Conference) will try to defend The Convo as Miami (9-8, 3-2 MAC) travels to Ohio University to play in volleyball’s rendition of the Battle of the Bricks on Friday and Saturday. Ohio is coming off its first win in two months which broke its 11-game losing streak but are now looking to carry that momentum back to home court. Miami, on the other hand, is coming off a loss after being swept by Ball State.
Miami has been dominant on the road with a 3-1 record that also includes three straight road wins. The RedHawks might not have a win streak to protect right now, but they have been sharp on the road and will look to keep it up during the rivalry this weekend. In contrast, Ohio has struggled at home with a 1-4 record.
Ohio picked up its first MAC win of the season just a few days ago against Kent State in dominating fashion. Miami has been pretty good in MAC play, with two back-to-back road wins. Not only has Miami been hot on the road recently, but the team has been even hotter on the road against MAC opponents.
Miami has two standout players that have helped its winning record, and it's going to need them if they want to win the Battle of the Bricks. The first standout player is junior outside hitter Chelsea Williams. She has had a very successful consistent year with 154 kills, including a team high 2.66 kills per set. She also has had a pretty good defensive year with 19 blocks.
The Redhawks second outstanding player, freshman outside hitter Molly Creech, who is statistically their best player, creates a subplot in the rivalry game as freshman face off. Both Ohio and Miami have found great success in their freshmen this year, and these players could push the winning team over the edge.
Ohio freshman outside hitter Bailey Blaire has played incredibly this season, with stats that include 179 kills, 2.75 kills per set, 211.5 points and a huge 3.25 points per set, which are all team leading. Defensively, she also has 31 blocks and 55 digs.
Creech has piled up similar statistics to Blaire. Creech has a team high 158 kills, 2.36 kills per set, 181 points and 2.7 points per set. She has also racked up a little under a dozen assists. Defensively, she also has 24 blocks and 226 digs.
Blaire has been statistically better, but defensively Creech has been a reliable force on the court with 226 digs, showing her dual threat ability that may be pivotal in defeating the Bobcats in Athens.
If Ohio’s going to get the win against its rival Miami, it is going to have to control Miami’s offensive superstars Creech and Williams. Offensively, Ohio will lean on Blaire and junior Torre Kildow to have to do what they’ve been so good at this year, and that’s kill the ball.
