Ohio State
23-9, 12-8B1g
Rutgers
4-28, 1-19B1G
Ohio State Sweeps Rutgers to Close Out Regular Season – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 28, 2015
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 16 Ohio State University women’s volleyball team celebrated ‘Senior Night’ by sweeping past Rutgers (26-24, 25-7, 25-12) in the final match of the regular season. The Buckeyes enter postseason play at 23-9 overall and 12-8 in Big Ten play. Ohio State’s 23 wins are the most in a regular season since the 2009 squad posted a 24-9 mark.
The Buckeyes improve to 6-1 all-time against Rutgers, including a 4-0 mark since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten in 2014. In four conference meetings, Ohio State has out-scored Rutgers by an average of more than 10 points per set.
In fitting fashion, the five seniors produced at an ultra-high level in their final regular season match ever. Elizabeth Campbell (14 kills; .440), Andrea Kacsits (6 kills; .600), Katie Mitchell (10 kills; .529) and Tyler Richardson (7 kills; .455) combined for 37 kills while each attacked .440 or better. Emily Ruetter also checked into the contest and dished out four assists in two sets of action.
Valeria León led the charge defensively, digging up 18 balls and running up her current school record season average to 4.34 digs per set. The Puerto Rican libero contributed offensively as well with five service aces and four assists.
Ohio State raced out to an 11-5 edge in the opening set, powered by a strong start from Mitchell and company. The Scarlet Knights clawed their way back into it twice, however, eliminating two different six-point deficits. Rutgers’ comeback eventually resulted in a set point opportunity at 24-23. A kill from Campbell thwarted the attempt though and an RU setting error was followed by another Campbell kill to give OSU a 26-24 triumph.
Leading 4-2 early in set number two, León checked-in to the service stripe for an extended stay. She racked up four aces during a 12-point run from the Buckeyes. Rutgers never recovered from the 16-2 deficit as Ohio State rolled 25-7 heading into intermission.
Just like the second stanza, Ohio State seized the opening point and never trailed from there. The Buckeyes attacked. 387 as a team, committing just four errors in the frame. A Scarlet Knight attack attempt went wide and mercifully ended the match 25-12.
St. John Arena is a potential host site for First & Second Rounds NCAA Tournament matches as the top-16 seeds earn the right to do so. The entire 64-team bracket will be released during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, airing Sunday evening at 9 p.m. ET. on ESPNU.
