Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Ohio State
Volleyball Uses Fourth-Set Comeback to Down OSU, 3-1
08.29.08 | Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Xavier volleyball team went a perfect 2-0 on its first day of competition in 2008, getting past host Ohio State, 3-1, in the Sports Imports Classic at St. John Arena. After narrowly falling 25-22 in the first frame, Xavier (2-0) fought back and won the next three 25-22, 26-24 and 28-26. The Musketeers were led by juniors Hillary Otte, with 15 kills, and Kelly Ruth, with 11 kills and nine digs.
Freshman Michelle Matia posted an impressive .778 hitting percentage (7K-0E-9TA) while senior Megan Hellmann tallied three service aces. Junior Lauren Kaminsky also had nine digs in the contest. Freshman Kathryn Traut was strong at the net, posting four assisted blocks for XU.
There were a total of 42 tied scores and 15 lead changes throughout the match in a contest that was hotly contested until the end. None of the four sets were won by more than three points and two sets went beyond the 25-point win mark as a team must win by two.
Ohio State (1-1) was able to pick up the first-set win after battling point-for-point with Xavier until three consecutive kills gave the Buckeyes the 14-10 lead. Although XU pulled to within one several times, OSU never relinquished its lead. Ohio State closed the first set with a kill and a service ace to take the frame, 25-22.
The second set was much of the same – two teams trading points. Xavier trailed by one or two for a good portion of the frame but refused to give in. XU tied the set up at 21 apiece and then took the lead for good on back-to-back service aces by Ruth. The Musketeers took the set, 25-22, off the strength of kills from Kaminsky and Otte to notch the match at 1-1.
The Buckeyes led by as many as four, 14-10, in the third frame, but Xavier battled to tie the game at 16-all and would not back down. The set would go to extra points after the two squads were knotted at 24-24 but two OSU attacking errors gave XU the third-set victory, 26-24.
In the deciding set, scored the first two points but soon the Buckeyes were ahead 5-4. Xavier led for most of the set before Ohio State tied the two at 19 after an XU attacking error. OSU was fighting to stay alive while XU was fighting for a win and after they had reached the 25-point threshold in a tie, Xavier won three of the last four points to claim the fourth frame, 28-26, and the match, 3-1.
The Musketeers return to action Saturday evening in its final match of the Ohio State Sports Imports Classic. Xavier is set to play Toledo at St. John Arena with firs serve set for 8 p.m.
