Ohio dominated Akron on Friday night and dismantled Buffalo on Saturday night to improve to 7-5 in Mid-American Conference play and 13-13 overall.
The Bobcats' sweep of the Zips completed the season sweep as well, adding Friday to their Sept. 23 win.
The win over Buffalo avenged a Sept. 22 loss when the Bobcats traveled to Buffalo, winning 25-21, 25-18, 25-22. The Bulls had also won 15 of their previous 16 sets, so sweeping them has the Bobcats in good spirits.
“This is not a team that is kind of getting by,” coach Deane Webb said. “Buffalo is a really good team. I think, tonight, our serve and pass was really good.”
Spectacular Stephens
On Friday night, sophomore outside hitter Lizzie Stephens hit .424 with 18 kills on only 33 swings. And then Saturday, she had 19 kills and hit .350. Not only was she the leader at the net, but she also had five service aces.
“We were in system the entire game, most of it,” Stephens said. “Which sets you up for good opportunities at the net.”
She’s been the leader for the Bobcats during an injury-plagued season, and her performance over the weekend was her best.
“Definitely, our confidence is high,” Stephens said.
With her performance, Stephens is a near-lock for MAC East Player of the Week honors.
She also caught the attention of Webb.
“If somebody had better stats than she did this weekend, then tip your hat, because you had an unbelievable weekend,” Webb said.
A career night for Vaughn
Sophomore Allyson Vaughn had a career-high three aces Friday night. Her aces were part of a 10-ace effort for Ohio in the win over Akron, 25-19, 25-13, 25-21.
It was an aggressive approach that paid off for not only Vaughn, but for all the Bobcats.
“My mentality tonight was just to go for it,” Vaughn said.
The Bobcats then followed Friday night up with seven aces Saturday night. That’s their style of play. It’s who they are.
Staying level
Although Ohio had its best weekend of MAC play this season, there is still one weekend left before the MAC Tournament.
The Bobcats aren’t content. They believe they’re just getting started. And in practice, Webb won’t let them slack. There's no time for that — the postseason is coming.
“He’s gonna keep it hard and make us work to get better,” Stephens said. “We’re not going to be satisfied with the level that we’re playing at.”
