Ohio State
11-0,11-0Big Ten
Rutgers
2-10,2-10Big Ten
Historic Run Continues with 3-2 Win at Rutgers
2/27/2021 8:52:43 PM | Women's Volleyball
ADDITIONAL INFO
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The No. 19 Ohio State women’s volleyball team got the job done once again, this time in a five-set nail-biter at Rutgers on Saturday. The Buckeyes’ 3-2 victory (25-20, 23-25, 25-18, 22-25, 16-14) puts them at 11-0 on the season and in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
Ohio State is putting on a historic performance in an unprecedented season. The Buckeyes are off to their best start in the Big Ten since 1991 and has the most consecutive wins since 2013. Jen Flynn Oldenburg has already made her mark as it also happens to be the best start under a first-year head coach in program history.
Tonight, Rylee Rader wrote her name in the Ohio State record book. Her career-high 11 blocks are the most by a Buckeye since 2015 and the most by a freshman since 1987.
Rader also thrived offensively with a career-best 13 kills on 23 swings with one error to hit .522. Emily Londot continued her season-long streak of reaching double digits in kills and topped all scorers with 20. Gabby Gonzales turned in her fourth double-double (13 kills, 13 digs) and Vanja Bukilic earned 10 kills.
Mac Podraza distributed 51 assists for the third time this season and served a career-high four aces. Lauren Witte chipped in eight kills and Kylie Murr tallied 19 digs.
The Buckeyes recorded a season-best 16 blocks. Londot (5), Podraza (4), Bukilic (3), Witte (3) and Gonzales (3) joined Rader in defending the net.
SET 1: A solo rejection by Gonzales sent the Scarlet Knights to their bench as they trailed 13-7. Rutgers put together a 6-0 run, which cut Ohio State’s lead to 22-18. Londot had the last three kills for a 25-20 Buckeye victory.
SET 2: Ohio State had a 16-15 edge until six straight points helped Rutgers to a 21-16 advantage. The Buckeyes responded with a 6-0 sprint of their own to pull ahead, 22-21. The Scarlet Knights won the set, 25-23, after scoring four of the last five points.
SET 3: The Buckeyes opened the frame on a 9-1 sprint, featuring four kills by Londot. Rutgers steadily worked its way back, 20-18, and forced a timeout. Ohio State closed the set on a 5-0 run.
SET 4: After falling behind midway through the rally, Ohio State tied the score at 17-all. The remainder of the set was a back and forth battle that ended in Rutgers’ favor, 25-22.
SET 5: Ohio State fought its way through the final frame for a 16-14 triumph. The Scarlet Knights took a 12-7 lead but the Buckeyes countered with a 5-0 run to lock the set at 12-all. Rutgers had a match-point opportunity while up 14-13. Ohio State remained poised as Gonzales and Rader scored the last three points to clinch the win.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes visit Penn State on Wednesday, March 3 at 5 p.m.
