April 4, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS - The Ohio University volleyball team kicked off the preparations for defense of its Mid-American Conference title on Saturday with a 4-0 record Team Indiana/IUPUI College Spring Tournament in Indianapolis.

The Bobcats earned wins over Ferris State, the University of Indianapolis, Illinois State and IUPUI.

Rising senior outside hitter Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio) registered 46 kills on .319 hitting, both team highs, to lead the Ohio offense. Rising sophomore outside hitter Sue Jacobi (Louisville, Ky.) added 20 kills on the day, while rising senior middle blocker Meghan Simons (Lancaster, Ohio) tallied a dozen, rising sophomore middle blocker Katie Post (Streamwood, Ill.) had 11 and rising senior middle blocker Jane Sytsma (Madison, Wis.) finished with 10.

The Bobcats were also active at the net on Saturday, as five players finished with at least eight total blocks for the tournament. Herman and Simons shared team-high honors with 11 blocks apiece, while rising junior setter Michelle Jantsch (Mission Hills, Kan.) chipped in with 10 to give Ohio three double-figure blockers. Jacobi and Sytsma each recorded eight blocks, and Post added three for the Green & White.

Herman also led the way for Ohio in the back row, finishing with 14 digs on the day, while rising senior libero Sarah Petrulis (Westlake, Ohio) finished with 12 and Jantsch collected 10 to round out the Bobcats in double figures.

Ohio will return to action on Saturday, when it plays host to Louisville at The Convo in its lone home appearance of the spring season.