For the sixth time in program history, Ohio has clinched the Mid-American Conference regular season and MAC Tournament titles in a single season.
The Bobcats (27-4) swept each of their matches in straight sets and won their eighth MAC Tournament title this weekend in Geneva. The MAC Championship grants Ohio an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament—the Bobcats’ first since 2010.
Ohio defeated Kent State, Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan this weekend. Sunday’s victory was the Bobcats’ fifth consecutive sweep and extended their winning streak to 11 matches.
Sophomore libero Meredith Ashy was named the tournament’s most valuable player. She recorded 48 digs on the weekend.
“Meredith has been carrying our team this whole season,” said Liis Kullerkann, a redshirt junior outside hitter. “She has always been there getting really tough digs. I’m really glad that she got the award because she really deserves it.”
Each weekend match was approached differently, because each opponent was able to shut down one aspect of Ohio’s offense. Ohio coach Ryan Theis said the reason the Bobcats were so successful is because they were able to adjust accordingly.
“We had different MVPs in every match,” he said. “The team is just so passionate about winning that they can crank it up a notch or two when they need to, and I thought they did that.”
In addition to Ashy, Ohio junior outside hitter Kelly Lamberti was also named to the all-tournament team. She notched 37 kills and 20 digs during the three matches. Kullerkann finished with 15 kills on just 21 attempts during Sunday’s clinching victory.
Ohio’s MAC Tournament title run during the 2010 season also included three straight-set sweeps. However, the Bobcats were ousted from the MAC Tournament during the semifinal round the past two years.
“We wanted to come into the tournament with mental toughness,” Ashy said. “We focused individually on what we needed to do to win the championship. Everyone did that during every single match this weekend, and that’s how champions win.”
The Bobcats are excited to bring another title back to Athens, but they’re focused on their final regular season match against Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday, before the NCAA Tournament begins in two weeks.
“We’re not done yet,” Kullerkann said. “We’re definitely looking forward to the NCAAs, and we want to kill it there. For the MAC season’s end this was a perfect ending, and we’re really happy.”
Ohio’s goal from the season’s inception was to win the MAC Tournament and secure a berth into the NCAA Tournament, rather than relying on receiving one of 33 at-large bids. The Bobcats’ RPI entering the weekend was 37th in the NCAA.
“They have worked so hard this year,” Theis said. “To be left out of the (NCAA) Tournament by a mathematic formula makes you feel empty. I thought they did a great job of playing hungry this year. They want to be playing in December, so I’m really happy for the team.”
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This article appeared in print under the headline "Ohio sweeps three to win MAC Tournament"
