Ohio State
12-6, 2-4B1G
Michigan
15-3, 4-2B1G
Valiant Comeback Effort Falls Short, 27-25, in Rivalry Match Fourth Set
10/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 9, 2016
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 14 Ohio State University women’s volleyball team stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the fourth frame to pull even at 21-all, 24-all and 25-all before ultimately falling, 27-25, to drop a match at No. 23 Michigan (15-3, 4-2 Big Ten). The Buckeyes move to 12-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play following the 25-20, 25-23, 16-25, 27-25 setback.
Valeria León pulled within 35 digs of matching the all-time Ohio State record in a career. With a match-high 23 digs against the Wolverines, she runs her total to 1,537 (Stacey Gordon — 1,572 digs; 2001-04). Taylor Sandbothe is chasing an OSU record of her own, tacking on five more in Ann Arbor for a career sum of 487 stuffs (Dawn McDougall — 517 blocks; 1988-91).
Arguably, Sandbothe’s biggest statistical contributions came offensively on Sunday, however, with 17 kills at a .333 attacking rate. Luisa Schirmer mirrored the 17 kills and upped the ante a smidge with her .359 hitting percentage (17-3-39). Taylor Hughes also accounted for double-digit points, registering nine kills, two aces and a block assist (11.5 points).
SET 1: Despite a 4-0-5 (.800) attacking stat line from Ashley Wenz in the opening frame, the Buckeyes were unable to fully recover after spotting Michigan a 6-0 lead to start the afternoon. Ohio State shaved off a point from its deficit by set’s end, but still came up short at 25-20.
SET 2: Madison Smeathers mimicked Wentz’ 4-0-5 hitting performance in set number two, flanking Schirmer’s seven kills on 11 attempts to carry an OSU offense attacking .406 as a team. The Wolverine offense got rolling, too, hitting .643 on 19 kills. The offensive fireworks led to 13 tied scores, including a 23-23 standing. A UM kill and Buckeye error came next, securing a 25-23 winner for the home team.
SET 3: Schirmer kept bringing the heat in set number three, putting away five of 12 errorless swings (.417). Everyone chipped in defensively as Ohio State racked up 21 digs and five blocks, limiting the Wolverines to a .125 attack percentage. Seven different Buckeyes dug multiple balls and both Smeathers and Wenz got in on four blocks each, including three rejections together. An 8-3 Buckeye run midway through the period proved to be too much for Michigan, steering Ohio State towards a 25-16 final tally. The OSU spurt converted a slim 7-6 edge into a 15-9 stronghold.
SET 4: Seniors Sandbothe and León sparked a monstrous comeback in the fourth set. The Buckeyes dug themselves out of an 18-10 hole on the back of an 11-3 stretch tying the score at 21-21. Michigan countered by earning the contest’s first match-point opportunity at 24-22. Ohio State deflect both attempts to re-even the ledger, 24-24. The Buckeyes denied a third UM match point two rallies later, pushing the set even further. Michigan finally closed the door, 27-25, on a kill from Kelly Murphy.
The Scarlet & Gray return to St. John Arena for home matches vs. Nebraska and Iowa on Friday (Oct. 14) and Saturday (Oct. 15), respectively. Both Big Ten tilts are slated for 6 p.m. first serves.
