Ohio hosted a pair of Mid-American Conference matches over the weekend in The Convo. On Friday night, the Bobcats defeated rival Miami in five sets (21-25, 25-22, 25-16, 17-25, 15-13).
After an emotional win, the Bobcats had to put Friday night behind them quickly as they hosted Bowling Green on Saturday night. The Bobcats were outlasted by the Falcons in four sets (25-17, 21-25, 22-25, 22-25).
Although the Bobcats finished their second straight weekend 1-1, coach Deane Webb thought his team took a step in the right direction, particularly after Friday night’s win.
“The thing that I’m most impressed with is where we are defensively,” Webb said. “The strides that we’re making defensively are really impressive in the back row. We spend a lot of time on that.”
Remmers returns
For the first time since the Bobcat Invitational, which was the first week of September, Carley Remmers returned to the floor for the Bobcats. Although she was not medically cleared to play the entire rotation, she played the back row.
“She played really well (Friday), and then she played well (Saturday),” Webb said. “She was solid in serve-receive. We need more kids that are solid in that phase of the game and she was that today.”
Remmers, a redshirt sophomore, impressed in her first weekend back, including Saturday night’s match, when she tallied a career-high 16 digs. She also recorded a service ace and a kill. Remmers also had 12 digs, which was a career high at the time, in the win over Miami.
In her seven matches this season, Remmers has 30 kills and 52 digs. With her back in the lineup, the Bobcats have improved depth and an added veteran on the roster.
“It’s definitely good to have her out there, just that calming presence,” Webb said.
Five-set Favorites
The Bobcats improved to 3-1 in five-set matches this season in the win over Miami. The RedHawks joined Samford and Oklahoma as teams that fell victim to the Bobcats in five sets.
The Bobcats seemed to elevate their play in the fifth set. For a young team playing without its captains, the play has Webb excited, but there is still work to be done.
Leading the MAC
Through four MAC matches, Lizzie Stephens leads the conference in service aces. She currently has 29 service aces on the season. Stephens is also third in the conference in points and fifth in total kills.
While Stephens is currently near the top of statistical categories, she is taking more swings than the Ohio coaching staff would like. She is currently ninth in the country (all NCAA Division I) in total attempts, which Webb says needs to decrease.
“It’s something we have to monitor,” Webb said. “We have to make sure she gets adequate rest,” Webb said.
Not only is she taking more swings, Stephens is being asked to play a bigger role than originally planned for her this season. That can create challenges.
“It’s just harder and at times that takes a toll on her,” Webb added.
