Ohio volleyball opens conference play

by Jenny Hugenberg
THE POST

Mid-American Conference play starts for the Ohio volleyball team this weekend against Kent State(3-7) and Eastern Michigan (1-9).

Ohio (7-4) has faced Kent already this season at the Valpo Popcorn Classic on Sept. 8. Ohio defeated Kent in that match 3-2,but setter Michelle Gil said neither team was playing to its full potential.

"(Kent) will be coming here looking for revenge this weekend," she said.

Ohio coach Mike Lessinger said the Golden Flashes might have taken Ohio lightly last time the two teams met.

"Kent was able to beat us easily two times last year," Lessinger said. "We will be playing for wins this weekend, and it will be a battle against Kent."

Eastern Michigan is the next opponent for the Bobcats. The two teams have not seen each other this season.

Outside hitter Lori McColl said Eastern Michigan has had a tough preseason.

"With a 1-9 record, Eastern Michigan does not look strong," McColl said. "But we have to come out playing well and take care of our side of the net."

Gil said the two matches this weekend will help set the tone for the rest of the season.

"If we have a good opening weekend playing at home, I think we will have a good season," she said.

McColl said the team would like to start the season off strong with wins this weekend and gain confidence going into more conference play.

"It would definitely give us a mental advantage if we win these two matches," McColl said. "It would be great if we can get wins this opening weekend of conference play."

Kent State was ranked third in the Eastern Division of the MAC in the Coaches Preseason Poll and Eastern Michigan was ranked fourth in the Western Division. Ohio was ranked sixth in the Eastern Division.

"If we beat both teams this weekend, we will prove to ourselves that rankings really do not mean anything," Gil said.

Lessinger said he hopes people will come over to The Convo after the football game on Saturday.

"We just want to draw attention to the changes we've made," Lessinger said. "I want people to see that this is a great bunch of young ladies who represent the university well."

The Bobcats play Kent at 7 p.m. Friday night and Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m. Saturday night at The Convo. Free T-shirts will be given out to the first 100 fans who come out to support the Bobcats on Friday night.