No. 4 Ohio State Sweeps James Madison
9/10/2021 2:36:55 PM | Women's Volleyball
RICHMOND, Va. – The Ohio State women’s volleyball team (6-0) swept (25-17, 25-22, 25-14) James Madison (6-2) on Friday to begin the VCU Invitational.
How it Happened
Ohio State and James Madison were deadlocked for much of the first half of set one with the Dukes leading by no more than one and the Buckeyes by no more than two before back-to-back kills from Gabby Gonzales gave OSU the 13-10 lead. Ohio State maintained the lead but couldn’t extend it until a kill from Arica Davis put the Buckeyes up 19-15 and forced a Dukes timeout. The Buckeyes had the momentum out of the timeout, scoring the next four points on the floor, and taking set one by a 25-17 margin.
The teams began the second set tied seven times as the set was tied at 10. The set would be tied at 11 and 12 before back-to-back Buckeye points on kills from Emily Londot and Gonzales gave OSU a 14-12 lead, forcing a Dukes timeout. Three-straight JMU points tied the set at 16 but OSU responded with three-consecutive points of its own to lead 19-16. The Buckeyes took its largest lead of the set, 23-19, before three-straight Dukes points cut the lead to one to force an OSU timeout. Ohio State scored both points out of the timeout to win the set, 25-22, on a block from Rylee Rader and Londot.
Outside of being tied at three, the Buckeyes led the beginning portion of the third set. Three-consecutive OSU points forced a JMU timeout with the Buckeyes leading 8-4. Ohio State maintained at least a three-point lead and stretched it to as much as seven, 15-8, before a couple points from James Madison. The Buckeyes would go on to double-up the Dukes, 20-10. A kill from Gonzales secured the 25-14 win in set three.
Match Notes
- Ohio State had more kills in the first set (19) than James Madison did in the first two sets combined (17).
- The Buckeyes’ 49 kills was a season-high for a three-set match.
- Both Buckeye middles hit over .700 – Davis (.727, nine kills on 11 attacks with one error) and Rader (.800, eight kills on 10 attacks with no errors).
- This is the fourth match this season that Gonzales and Londot have each registered at least 10 kills.
- Set one: The teams were tied eight times before either hit 10 points.
- Set one: Neither team led by more than three points until Davis’ kill made it 19-15. Out of the timeout, the Buckeyes outscored the Dukes 6-2.
- Set one: The Ohio State defense forced James Madison to hit .071 during the set and only totaled six kills compared to the Buckeyes’ 19.
- Set two: Londot had more kills than the Dukes roster until JMU went up 11-10.
- Set two: Ohio State did not have more than a three-point lead until 23-19. James Madison did not lead by more than one point.
- Set three: The Buckeyes had four blocks in the set after having four through the first two sets combined.
- Set three: OSU did not trail in the set.
Up Next
The Buckeyes conclude action at the VCU Invitational on Saturday with two matches. OSU faces host VCU at 9 a.m. in a match broadcast live on ESPN+. Ohio State also plays Virginia at 2 p.m.
Single-match and season tickets for all home games are now on sale. Purchase today to see your Buckeyes inside Covelli this season.
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