For the first time since 2007, the No. 24 Bobcats will play a match as a nationally ranked team after winning their second tournament of the season last weekend.
The Bobcats (8-1) have won four consecutive matches, led by freshman outside hitter Katie Horton. She received the WKU Invitational MVP honors before being named the Mid-American Conference East Division’s offensive player of the week on Monday.
This weekend, Ohio will take the court against Maryland and Marshall on Friday before playing No. 10 Michigan on Saturday.
"We’ll have our hands full; I know they’re all pretty motivated to win,” coach Ryan Theis said. “I know their coaches are pretty competitive people, and I’m sure they’ll give us everything we can handle.”
Maryland (8-1) is led by outside hitter Ashleigh Crutcher, who leads the team with 119 kills, and middle blocker Adrenee Eliot, who boasts a team-best .373 hitting percentage. The Terrapins also have two freshmen that have stepped up so far this season, as setter Julia Anderson has recorded 201 assists, while Ashlyn MacGregor has notched 21.5 blocks.
With a win against Maryland on Friday, the Bobcats would become 9-1 on the season, which would be good for the team’s best start since 2002.
Marshall (5-7) won its host tournament last weekend, including a five-set win against MAC competitor Kent State. Senior outside hitter Laura Der was named to Conference USA’s all-preseason team, while setter Sammie Bane leads the Herd with 476 assists.
Ohio holds a 28-9 all-time series lead in the matchup and they played during the 2011 Baymont Invitational, when Ohio won in straight sets.
The Bobcats will conclude the tournament against No. 10 Michigan (7-1). Michigan suffered its first loss of the season last weekend against No. 17 Florida State. But last season, the Wolverines made the 2012 Final Four, where they lost to then-No. 3 Texas in five sets.
The Wolverines have three preseason all-Big Ten picks in senior middle blocker Jennifer Cross and outside hitter Lexi Erwin, along with junior setter Lexi Dannemiller. Cross was an AVCA all-American in 2012, and Dannemiller is leading the offense with 291 assists on the season.
Ohio last played Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2009, though the Wolverines won in five sets.
“We’re going to act like we’re not even ranked,” sophomore libero Meredith Ashy said. “We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing, and we’re going to take one team at a time.”
ab109410@ohiou.edu
@buschy6391
UP NEXT:
Michigan Invitational
Friday
1 p.m. vs. Maryland
5:30 p.m. vs. Marshall
Saturday
7 p.m. at No. 10 Michigan
