Ohio State
20-6,9-5Big Ten
Rutgers
4-22,1-13,Big Ten
Buckeyes Back in the Winning Column with Sweep of Rutgers – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 7, 2015
RELATED INFO
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes picked up their 20th win of the season Saturday evening, seizing a 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-16, 25-19) of Rutgers. The Buckeyes depart New Jersey owners of a 20-6 overall record and 9-5 Big Ten mark. With the victory, Ohio State has now recorded 20 or more wins in six of eight seasons under the direction of head coach Geoff Carlston.
Ohio State extended its streak of holding the Scarlet Knights (4-22, 1-13 Big Ten) to less than 20 points in nine consecutive sets. Since Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference last season, the Buckeyes have outscored them 225-136 en route to three straight sweeps.
This week’s match-up saw the Buckeyes attack at a .372 clip while smothering the Scarlet Knights to a .138 hitting percentage. Emily Ruetter steered the offense and dished out 35 assists and took care of one kill on her own. She pushed 45 sets in the direction of Audra Appold and Katie Mitchell and the Buckeye duo terminated 22 for kills. Mitchell was responsible for a dozen put-aways and a .500 individual attacking efficiency (12-1-22). Elizabeth Campbell (8 kills-2 errors-18 attempts; .333%), Andrea Kacsits (4-0-7; .571) and Taylor Sandbothe (6-0-18; .333) inflicted considerable damage as well.
Ohio State executed an aerial assault from the service stripe, too. Campbell rifled in three aces as the Buckeyes registered eight in the match.
Valeria León’s 12 digs and Sandbothe’s five blocks paced the defensive showing. Appold and Campbell dug seven balls apiece.
After pulling ahead 4-3 on a Rutgers attacking error early in the opening set, the Buckeyes did not trail the remainder of the night. The Scarlet Knight blunder was amidst an 11-point OSU run which transformed a 3-2 deficit into a controlling 13-3 stronghold. Ohio State tacked on two more tallies to its sizable advantage by set’s end, taking the frame 25-13.
Ohio State jumped out to a 2-0 edge in the second stanza and continued to roll to a 25-16 winner. The Buckeyes hit the hardwood for four aces and stuffed Rutgers thrice in the frame. Set number three was much the same with Ohio State hitting .378 and the Scarlet Knights limited to a .195 attacking rate. Ruetter connected with her teammates for the assist on all 17 kills in the final frame. León swept up seven digs and the Buckeyes sealed the deal 25-19.
The Scarlet & Gray return to St. John Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 11 for a 6:30 p.m. ET tilt against fellow Top-25 squad Illinois.
