Ohio volleyball continues losing streak

The Ohio volleyball team learned this weekend not to mess with Texas as the Bobcats lost four, non-conference games in the Four Points Red Raider Classic.

The team started 0-2 Friday in the Lubbock, Texas tournament, losing two matches in three games each.

Lamar (6-2) beat Ohio 30-25, 30-24, 30-19 and Stephen F. Austin (5-3) defeated the Bobcats 30-22, 30-18, 30-26. Outside hitter Katie Smith had 12 kills in each match.

Middle blocker Laura Hageman had eight kills against Lamar and opposite-side hitter Jessica Jones added eight kills against Stephen F. Austin.

On Saturday the Bobcats came out stronger, but were unable to overcome their opponents. Ohio lost to Texas-El Paso (3-4) in five games and Texas Tech (6-2) in four.

Ohio coach Mike Lessinger said Texas Tech was the Bobcats' toughest opponent, but the team played their best match against the Red Raiders. He attributes this performance to the team's knowing how to rise to the occasion.

"They know that in those situations nothing but their best performance will give them respectable scores," he said.

The team is starting to settle on a line-up, but Lessinger said he has not found the optimum combination yet, especially in the outside hitting position.

"Katie Smith had a great game against Texas Tech," he said. "We didn't get a lot of production out of other outside hitters and right-side hitters. That definitely needs to happen for us to be competitive."

Ohio gets a chance to improve its record when the team travels to Louisville for a 7 p.m. match Friday.

–Corrie Callaghan