May 6, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio University volleyball team recently received its 2008 championship rings, commemorating its 2008 Mid-American Conference Tournament title and sixth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship.

The Bobcats earned a four-set victory over Western Michigan in the championship match of the MAC Tournament in November to mark their fifth tournament crown since 2003. The automatic NCAA berth that accompanied the title also extended Ohio's streak of trips to the national tournament to six years, the second-longest run in conference history.

Ohio is also one of just 17 teams in the nation to qualify for each of the last half dozen NCAA Championships.

"These rings are a symbol of what we strive for in the Ohio volleyball program, as well as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team during the 2008 season," head coach Ryan Theis said. "Last year's seniors did a great job of picking out a ring of which we can all be proud. An honor like this is special to each member of the program in different ways, and the championship rings can always serve as a reminder."

The Bobcats will open the 2009 season on Aug. 28, when they take on South Dakota at 6 p.m. ET in the opening match of a tournament hosted by the University of Wisconsin. Ohio will make its home debut on Sept. 11, squaring off with Indiana at 7 p.m. ET to kick off its 2009 home tournament.