Feb. 6, 2015
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 12 Ohio State University men’s volleyball team (7-2, 3-0 MIVA) broke up a two-week-long competition drought by sweeping Quincy University (5-5, 0-3 MIVA) in quick fashion. The Buckeyes posted winning tallies of 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 in under 70 minutes to notch their sixth home win in as many chances this season.
Ohio State played better as the evening progressed, increasing its margin of victory and attacking percentage in each sequential set. Overall, the Buckeyes outscored Quincy 75-53 while racking up 15 more kills than the Hawks. Entering the contest ranked second nationally with 2.10 aces per set, Ohio State upped the ante with 11 more missiles from service line, raising the season average to 2.24 aces/set.
Individually, several Buckeyes contributed significantly to the winning cause. Christy Blough dished out 27 assists with seven kills going to each Michael Henchy, Dustan Neary and Nicolas Szerszen. Neary did the most with what he was offered, putting away seven of eight errorless attacks (.875). The ace-palooza came from all angles as six different players ripped at least one, including a team-best three aces from Szerszen. Gabriel Domecus donned the libero jersey and showed out to the tune of seven digs with Henchy not far behind at a half dozen digs (five of which came in the first set).
Shawn Herron stepped to the service line with OSU trailing early in the opening frame. He proceeded to drive home two aces as part of a six-point run to hurl the Buckeyes ahead for good at 8-4. It wasn’t pretty, but Ohio State battled its way to a 25-20 triumph. Henchy dug up five balls, matching the Hawks team total for the set. He paced the Bucks with four kills as well, lifting OSU to victory.
Playing in front of a substantial traveling crowd powered by four Ohioans on the roster, the Hawks jumped out to a 14-10 advantage in set number two. Ohio State would dominate from there, however, seizing 15 of the next 19 points and emerging triumphant 25-18.
An attack-error-free third frame from Ohio State overpowered the Hawks in a 25-15 clincher. The Buckeyes attacked at a .400 clip (8-0-20) and registered four aces, relegating the Quincy comeback effort futile.
The Scarlet and Gray are back at it Saturday night, playing host to another MIVA foe in Lindenwood University (7 p.m. start).
