The Ohio State women's volleyball team defeated MSU in an exciting four game match in a pink themed St. John Arena last night.
Supporters from both teams made up the 1,431 attendees as the players honored breast cancer awareness month, sporting pink socks and pink ribbons in their hair.
The no. 23 ranked Buckeyes came into the match with a record of 14-8 (4-5 Big Ten) having just lost to Penn State Wednesday night. Michigan State, lead by Head Coach Cathy George, stepped onto the court with a 16-5 (5-4 Big Ten) record coming off a defeat by no. 1 Illinois and a win against Northwestern.
The Spartans made themselves known early in the first set with a quick 8-5 lead. Ohio State was able to recover and place themselves four points ahead, thanks to three Spartan errors and kills by Buckeyes Emily Danks and Kaitlyn Leary. MSU's talented Jenilee Rathje began to warm up at this time and remained a key asset to the team throughout the match. Rathje got a kill and a block after a Buckeye service error to even up the score at 23. Two more Buckeye errors gave Michigan State the set.
In the second set, the Spartans started strong with a five point lead. The Buckeyes put up their own points with Amanda Peterson and Kelli Barhorst blocking several Spartan attacks. Both teams kept the rest of the match very close with exciting volleys and defensive efforts. When the score tied up at 18, Ohio State pulled ahead for the first time in the set 22-18 with points from Danks, Leary, and Mariah Booth. Rathje of MSU, assisted by Jazmine White, answered with three kills and three blocks each to tie the set at 23. This was quickly followed by two Spartan errors giving the Buckeyes the set.
Set 3 brings freshman setter Taylor Sherwin into the match for the first time who gets 10 assists. Both teams again kept it very close with 4 tied scores until the Bucks began to pull ahead at 8-8. Action from Booth, Danks and Leary kept Ohio State in the lead, but Buckeye errors gave MSU opportunities to catch up. That is until a service ace and kill by Danks, a block by Barhorst and Peterson and a costly Spartan error made the score 16-11. Kills from Rathje and Kyndra Abron of the Spartans began to close the gap. After three MSU errors and kills by Rathje and Peterson, Buckeye Mari Hole finally starts making contact with the ball and gets an important kill making it 23-17. Booth sets up the Buckeyes for set point with a kill, and is followed by Danks who gets a kill of her own. Ohio State takes the set 25-19.
In the fourth and final set, we see the return of Buckeye Erin Sekinger, the 6'3'' freshman out of Columbus. Sekinger replaces Hole only for a few plays, but makes a kill out of her only attack attempt. Early in the first set, Michigan State gets a five point lead. Kori Moster, the Spartans' Ohio native, gets a service ace and is followed up by a White block and some OSU errors, making it 13-5. Sarah Mignin of the Bucks gets her own ace while Barhorst, Booth and Leary each get kills narrowing the Spartan lead. An error in OSU's favor tied the game at 16. Barhorst continued to work hard for three more kills and a block. Answered by none other than Rathje, who begins to catch up to Ohio State making it 20-19. Set and match point came for the Bucks thanks to three Spartan errors. Danks ends the game with a punishing kill 25-21.
Spartan standouts include Rathje with 23 kills, Moster with 28 digs, and Kristen Kelsay with 24 assists. Mignin and Hole led the Buckeyes in digs with 23 and 14. Peterson gets 27 assists and Danks gets a team high 16.5 points on the match.
On October 28, the Ohio State women's volleyball team (15-8, 5-5) will host no. 4 Nebraska (16-1) who are 9-0 in conference play. Michigan State (16-6, 5-5) will go home to East Lansing to prepare for Indiana (8-13, 0-9) on Wednesday.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Ohio State vs Iowa and Nebraska
What an exciting, but frustrating weekend for the Ohio State Women’s soccer team. Ohio State took on Iowa (Friday 10/14/11) and Nebraska (Sunday 11/16/11). OSU came out strong in both games!
Against Iowa (1-0)
On this day Ohio State showed its support for breast cancer by warming up in pink shirts and giving honor to those who have survived breast cancer. A block “O” with a pink ribbon stood out in the middle of the field. There were about 7 survivors that lined the field with the player. Then both teams let out pink balloons.
Within the first 5 minutes of the game Paige Maxwell and Tiffany Cameron began making passes towards the goal. Maxwell attempted the first goal and was blocked by Iowa’s goal keeper Emily Moran.
Ohio State had the first corner kick of the game taken by Megan Fuller.
Ohio State was faced with an impressive player from Iowa. Cloe Lacasse, a freshman, named top freshman by the Big Ten and has 10 goals to her name this season. She played very aggressively in this game. There were a few times when Megan Fuller from OSU’s defensively line challenged her to stop her from making any goals.
During the second half of the game OSU’s starting goal keeper Katie Baumgardner was substituted by Rachel Middleman. She did a great job holding down the goal, with 2 great saves.
There were a lot of great passes and had a lot of great passes throughout the game.
Liz Sullivan was an ideal player in the game. She was very aggressive throughout the whole game. She used her speed moving up and down the field. She definitely stood out in this game.
As far as Iowa’s team, players Alyssa Cosnek, Morgan Showalter, and Alex Melin all played aggressively and had excellent speed throughout the whole game. Alex Melin made the winning goal with an assist by Morgan Showalter.
Towards the end of the game OSU tried to set up another goal. Tiffany Cameron was determined to make something happen for her team. With 10 seconds to go she gained possession of the ball and attempted for a shot.
Against Nebraska: (3-2)
This game was an exciting battle right from kickoff!
Both Ohio State and Nebraska started this game off strong. Ohio State was faced again with a challenge. Nebraska’s team holds a player, Morgan Marlborough who had already had 16 goals under her belt for this season alone. She definitely posed as a threat for OSU. Throughout the first half of the game, she didn’t really have a lot of footing on the ball.
Nebraska had the first attempt at goal as well as the first goal on the scoreboard, a questionable goal. All players on the field thought the refs might stop the play, so everyone stopped and the ball rolled into OSU’s goal. No one was given credit for the goal.
Nebraska played very well defensively, often having 2 or 3 players on attack on ISO offensive.
Ohio State then scored next. The goal was made by Lauren Granberg, assisted by Paige Maxwell and Kiirri Kuld.
Throughout most of the first half OSU had possession of the ball and had 18 shots on goal compared to Nebraska’s 5. Emma Stevens is an impressive goal keeper deserves recognition for her talent. Despite everything that OSU threw at her she was able to stop most of them. She had a total of 12 saves for the game.
There was an interesting turn in the second half. OSU wasn’t playing as aggressively and Nebraska dominated the field the most of the second half, keeping the ball in OSU’s territory.
Paige Maxwell attempted a goal from a backwards kick. The ball actually made it into the net but was not counted because of an “off sides” call.
Megan Fuller also had a backwards kick in the game. Her kick was to help save an attempted goal shot by a Nebraska player.
Despite a not so good start to the game, star player Morgan Marlborugh came through with 2 goals in the second half.
Nebraska had a very good defensive line. Players such as Maritza Hayes and Mayme Conroy stood out for their speed and ability to challenge players.
Danielle Scoliere made the second goal for OSU.
Ohio State has 3 more games left in the Big Ten conference.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Exclusive Interview with Tiffany Cameron 10/14
Interview with Tiffany Cameron #11
This interview took place after the OSU- Iowa game. I found Tiffany Cameron very frustrated as the buckeyes fell to to Iowa 1-0 after a very well played game. Tiffany notes that she wishes her team would have worked a little harder together to make a goal.
How long have you been playing soccer?
*Since the age of 10
Do you play any other sports?
*Yes, basketball, swimming, and volleyball
Any hobbies or special talents?
*I play the piano
Other than your position (forward), what other positions can you play?
*Left mid-field
Do you plan on going pro?
*Yes, not sure on what team yet
What is your major?
*Strategic Communication, with a minor in General Business
Who is a major influence in you soccer career?
*My boyfriend, he also plays soccer. During the summer and off season we often play with and against each other.
What do you think holds the team together?
*We are all very caring and supportive of each other. Our team has a lot of chemistry.
What players do you play well with?
*Paige Maxwell, Lauren Granberg, Liz Sullivan, Danica Wu
As a soccer player, what do you feel like is your strongest point? Weakest point?
*Running is my strong point, especially my speed. As far as my weakest point, I would say headers.
What is or has been your biggest obstacle in your soccer career?
*I can't really think about one.
What is your biggest accomplishment in your career with Ohio State?
*Last year I had 7 goals and 5 assists. My freshman year I had 4 goals. My biggest goal was in the game against Georgetown, made with my left foot.
What have you gained or learned from coach Lori Walker?
*How to really compete, how to train hard, working to possess the ball and stay focused.
Any advice for aspiring players, especially those at a college level and coming into OSU?
*Play with confidence.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Ohio State vs Northwestern Women's Volleyball
The
The Buckeyes came away with a win and a record of 13-6 overall. The match was
In the third set, two long scoring drives by
The final set was a close one with Northwestern keeping the score within one point until late in the game. Assists by
The
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