OHIO Volleyball

Bobcats finish non-conference schedule

By Katherine Bercik, Copy Editor

September 18, 2007 | 3:35 p.m.

After making a comeback against Denver (30-27, 30-32, 28-30, 31-29, 15-10) and defeating Washington State in a three-game match (30-24, 30-23, 30-23) Friday, the No. 17 Bobcats fell to Long Beach State in the championship match of the Pioneer Classic Saturday, Sept. 15.

The Bobcats lost the first game of the match (23-30) but managed to gain a two-game advantage with the second and third games (30-27, 30-26). Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they were unable to close out the 49ers in the fourth game (27-30) and were forced to play a fifth, deciding game. The Bobcats lost 11-15.

With the help of freshmen outside hitters Sue Jacobi (Louisville, Ky.) and Melissa Szkutnik (Perrysburg, Ohio), the score in the final game was brought to 13-10, but that was the closest Ohio got to evening out the score. The 49ers went on to win 15-11 to take home the tournament title.

Sophomore outside hitter Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio) was forced to sit out the entire final match because of an ankle injury she acquired the night before. The Bobcats then lost sophomore middle blocker Meghan Simons (Lancaster, Ohio) in the second game of the match, also from an ankle injury.

Senior middle blocker Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) and senior outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the bobcats with 18 kills and four blocks, and 15 kills and seven digs, respectively. Both were named to the Pioneer Classic All-Tournament Team.

Players who also had great performances include sophomore middle blocker Jane Sytsma (Madison, Wis.), with 13 kills on a .250 hitting percentage; junior setter Jill DeArmond (Fort Wayne, Ind.), with a team-high 41 assists, seven digs and five kills; and junior defensive specialist Molly Mangan (Claire, Ill.), with a team-high 15 digs.

The Bobcats will start their Mid-American Conference season Sept. 21 as they travel to Buffalo, and then to Akron the next day.