Ohio dropped below .500 in Mid-American Conference play for the second time this season after losing its fourth straight match this weekend. The Bobcats (13-12, 5-7 MAC) are clinging to a playoff spot after they lost to Miami and Bowling Green on the road.
Friday
Ohio was unable to replicate the success it had the last time it played Miami in a 3-1 (28-30, 17-25, 25-22, 21-25) loss Friday night. Its biggest issue was the lack of production from the outside hitters. Sophomore Lauren Park and junior Maggie Nedoma each logged 10 kills, but Park had 11 errors and a -.024 hitting percentage. Nedoma wasn’t much better with a .085 hitting percentage.
Gaby Harper and Avarie Powell added 11 and 12 kills, respectively, from the outside to overwhelm Ohio’s defense. The defense folded and allowed Miami to have .225 hitting percentage as a team while only hitting .148.
This loss put the Bobcats under .500 in MAC play for the first time since the first conference match this season.
Saturday
Ohio was completely dominated by Bowling Green in its fourth straight loss, the longest losing streak of the season. The Bobcats’ offense was ineffective for the whole match with a .115 hitting percentage in the 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 19-25) loss Saturday night.
It didn’t get production from anyone offensively, with Tia Jimerson leading the team in kills with 11. No other player reached double digits. The next highest was seven, and the Bobcats were swept for the third time this season.
This stretch has been alarming for Ohio as it moved to 3-5 without senior Lizzie Stephens. The Bobcats have also been without their libero, Macy Reihing, for the last three matches. Ohio will hope for the two to return as soon as possible with just four matches left in the regular season, all of which are at home.
