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12-2, 0-1MAC
Ohio
11-2, 1-0MAC
Bulls Unable To Takedown Nationally-Ranked Ohio In MAC Opener
9/27/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo volleyball team gave the 22nd ranked team in the nation all they could handle on Friday night, but the Bulls fell to the Ohio Bobcats, 3-1, in the first Mid-American Conference match of the season. After winning its first 12 matches, the Bulls have now dropped two straight. UB will continue conference play tomorrow night.
Ohio took the match, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 25-12 as the Bulls hit just .075 for the match. UB did keep up its strong blocking on the night with 17.0 total team blocks. The Bulls are currently leading the nation in blocks. The Bulls were within two during the opening set at 15-13, but the Bobcats ended the set on a 10-4 run.
The Bulls charged back in the second set, racing out to an 18-12 lead. The Bulls had nine total blocks in the second set and Ohio was unable to pull any closer than four as the Bulls took the set 25-20, with the final point coming on a kill from senior Carissa McKenna.
The third set proved to be the momentum changer in the match. After Ohio scored the first five points of the set, the Bulls began to fight back. They tied the set up at 8-8, but Ohio again took a lead and eventually had a 24-19 advantage in the set. With senior Kelly Svoboda serving, the Bulls were able to fight off five set points, tying the set up at 24-24. However, Ohio came back to record the final two points and grab the 2-1 lead in the match. Ohio clinched the match with a 25-12 victory in the fourth.
"We didn't play a clean match tonight and that is necessary to beat a team like Ohio," said head coach Todd Kress. "It will be a quick turnaround for us and we will be ready to play Kent State tomorrow night."
McKenna led the way with a team-high 13 kills as she hit .429 on the evening. She had her first career double-double as she added a career-best 10 total blocks. Junior Liz Scott and sophomore Tahleia Bishop each finished with 11 kills, while no other player had more than five. Senior Dani Reinert had 21 assists, while junior Taylor Pritchett added 18.
Defensively, Svoboda finished with 20 digs, while Bishop and Reinert each had 12. Senior Christine Fritsche also finished with 11. The Bulls had 17 total blocks as sophomore Amber Hatchett added seven and Fritsche, Scott and sophomore Akeila Lain each had four.
The Bulls continue their homestand tomorrow when they host Kent State. The match will begin at 7:30 pm.
