Aug. 25, 2007

Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio - The No. 25 Ohio volleyball team opened the 2007 season with a 3-0 victory over James Madison in the Hampton Inn Volleyball Challenge, played in the Convocation Center. The Bobcats made quick work of the Dukes in the first two games, winning both games 30-20 and then fought from behind in the third game for a 30-28 victory. The win extends Ohio's second longest home-match winning streak to 51.

The Bobcats were led by reigning Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio). The sophomore outside hitter posted a double-double with 10 kills and a match-high 12 digs, to go along with a career-high five service aces in the match. Senior middle blocker Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) led the Bobcats in kills with 13 on a .391 hitting percentage and added two solo blocks and three assisted blocks in the match. Setter Jill DeArmond (Fort Wayne, Ind.) posted 36 assists and tied a career-high with six digs. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) put together a solid match with seven kills, nine digs and four assists.

James Madison got off to a quick start, scoring the first three points of the first game, but Ohio quickly responded. The Bobcats proceeded to go on a 10-2 run to take control of the game. During the run Herman landed three service aces and slammed a kill to give the Bobcats back the momentum. Herman added two more service aces at the end of the game, to record all five of her aces in the first game. Ohio held a commanding 29-15 advantage, before James Madison ran off six straight points to pull the score within 29-20. Sophomore middle blocker Meghan Simons (Lancaster, Ohio) ended the Dukes' run with one of her seven kills in the match.

In the second game the score was knotted at 7-7 before the Bobcats once again asserted themselves with a 10-2 run. The Dukes pulled within seven points at 20-13, but that was as close as they would get. Herman posted six kills to go with seven digs in the second game to lead Ohio to the 30-20 win.

Ohio was pushed by James Madison in the third game. The Bobcats were able to tie the game up several times, but did not get their first lead until about halfway through the game. Griffin landed one of her six kills in the game to give Ohio its first lead at 17-16. James Madison refused to fold and responded by taking back the lead at 24-22. The Bobcats scored seven of the next eight points to regain the lead and eventually win the game 30-28.

Ohio takes on Rutgers tomorrow, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center in the final game of the Hampton Inn Volleyball Challenge.