Ohio will look to add to its three-match winning streak this week with three home contests against in-state rivals Kent State and Akron in The Convo.
Ohio (4-15, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) and Kent State (9-11, 4-4 MAC) currently tie in conference records, with Akron (9-12, 3-6 MAC) not far behind. Even though the Bobcats got off to a rocky start to their season, they have managed grab the second-best conference record with the Golden Flashes in the MAC East. Akron is right behind Kent State and Ohio and is in fourth in the MAC East.
Kent State, like Ohio, is on a three-match winning streak after a sweep of Akron. Ohio, meanwhile, picked up its first road wins of the year with a sweep of Buffalo.
Match information
Wednesday
Opponent: Kent State
Time: 6 p.m.
How to watch: ESPN+
Friday
Opponent: Akron
Time: 7 p.m.
Saturday
Opponent: Akron
Time: 6 p.m.
Match history
Kent State
Ohio is 17-3 against Kent State since 2010, including 7-1 at home. The Bobcats are also undefeated against the Golden Flashes in the last two seasons, going 5-0 in that span.
Ohio and Kent State played twice last season. The Bobcats traveled to Kent on March 16, where they won 3-2. The second match was played a week later in The Convo, with Ohio winning 3-1.
Akron
Ohio is 14-2 against Akron since 2010, going 6-1 at home in that time span as well. Akron, however, won the last matchup between the two.
The Bobcats and Zips split the two matches they played against each other last season in Akron. Ohio won the first contest on Feb. 4, 2021 by a score of 3-1. The Zips defended their home court the next day, beating the Bobcats 3-2.
Players to watch
Kent State: Savannah Matthews
Savannah Matthews ranks sixth in the MAC for average points per set. She also ranks ninth in the conference for average kills per set. Matthews’ offense isn’t all she adds to the Golden Flashes. She is also a key contributor on defense, as her 176 digs are the second-most on the team.
Akron: Emily Weigand
Emily Weigand does a little bit of everything for the Zips. She leads the team in service aces, assists and her 157 digs are the second-most on the team. Weigand, now a graduate student, made the All-MAC First Team during her junior year in 2019.
Ohio: Sam Steele
Sam Steele is coming off a very strong defensive performance against Buffalo last weekend, which earned her MAC East Defensive Player of the Week. Steele, a libero and defensive specialist, leads the team in digs and service aces. Steele ranks second in the MAC for average digs per set, and ranks fifth in the conference for average service aces per set.
