For the eighth time in program history, Ohio won the Mid-American Conference Tournament after sweeping Eastern Michigan on Sunday.
No. 1 Ohio (27-4) took the floor with No. 7 Eastern Michigan for a match that was much closer than the final score indicated, but the Bobcats clinched a MAC Title after their fifth consecutive straight-set sweep.
Sophomore Meredith Ashy led the Bobcats and earned the tournament’s most valuable player award, which was a surprise to the libero, despite her strong efforts.
“We just came out with a lot of focus, in the locker room we were all focusing on what we need to do individually to win,” Ashy said. “We did a pretty darn good job of that and now we’re champions.”
Ashy recorded a match-high 19 digs and five assists, including 17 digs during the first two sets.
“Meredith was playing terrific, she was passing balls and she was covering a lot of ground,” coach Ryan Theis said. “We didn’t get a lot of blocks, which is very uncharacteristic of us, but when our back row is digging that way I think teams try avoiding it.”
Junior outside hitter Kelly Lamberti notched eight kills during the second set on her way to a match-high of 16 kills, while redshirt junior Liis Kullerkann finished with a career-high 15 kills.
“Our team is good at stepping up at different times and that was my role today,” Kullerkann said. “Today was my turn to step up, so I’m glad to get the opportunity to finish on a strong note.”
MAC player of the year Abby Gilleland led Ohio with a double-double, recording a match-high 41 assists and 11 digs.
“The offense was rocking, it’s hard to hit .370 if your setter isn’t setting well and giving people good looks,” Theis said. “She’s the MVP of the league and she was great.”
Graudate student middle blocker Alexis Pinson added seven kills and two combined blocks, while freshman outside hitter Mallory Salis registered two of the teams five aces.
Sunday’s match ends MAC play for the Bobcats, which won the MAC regular-season and MAC Tournament.
“(Coach) Theis has been a great coach this entire season, having so much faith in us,” “We wanted (a MAC Tournament title) so bad and it really showed today how much we wanted the championship.”
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