Teams that are made up like Ohio rely on dominant veterans who impose their will on opponents.
Ohio has some skilled upperclassmen, but three freshmen have filled the roles of their dominant predecessors.
“They certainly are the most skilled class,” head coach Ryan Theis said. “We had four to six skilled players graduate in the last two years. These three skilled freshmen on the floor right now we knew would be needed.”
The three freshmen Theis refers to are Chelsea Bilger, Bailey Karst and Kelly Lamberti.
Lamberti is leading Ohio in kills with 176, and Bilger is not far off the pace at 168. Karst assumed the job as the team’s starting setter and has played the majority of the matches this season. She said starting from the outset was something she did not think she could do.
“I didn’t think so walking in,” Karst said. “I mean, it is always up for grabs. I’m not always the starting setter. I always have to work, and Leah (Petrovich) does too.”
FINDING WAYS TO WIN
So far this season, the opposition has bested Ohio in some statistical categories. The Bobcats’ opponents have registered 84 more kills, 82 more assists and 51 more digs.
Because of the number of blocks the team produces, Ohio can afford to sit back and wait for opponents to make a mistake.
“A lot of it has to do with efficiency,” Theis said. “When you don’t give many points away, it puts a lot of pressure on your opponent when you block three and four balls per set. Teams are really pressing against us, which has led to our success.”
As a result, Theis said the team has not needed to kill the ball more than their opponents. The Bobcats focus on making fewer mistakes with more dig and better passing.
Senior middle blocker Katie Post echoed Theis’ sentiments.
“Defense has been awesome behind the block,” Post said. “Digging and passing have been amazing. I think it’s finally coming together now.”
FOOT ON THE GAS
Early in the season, the Bobcats played a lot of four- and five-set matches, but the team has yet to drop a set in conference play.
Ohio’s recent results indicate that it is playing its best volleyball of the season, but Theis said there is concern about how the team handles pressure from the opposition.
“You never know now, in two weeks of not dropping a set if and when we get pushed, how we will respond,” Theis said. “There is concern on what happens when we get into a tight one now, but we were in those all through the preseason, which is why we play them, so we feel prepared.”
nr225008@ohiou.edu
