Volleyball Comes Up Short Against Ohio State

Wednesday, November 8

New Brunswick, N.J.

7 PM

Rutgers University

5-22, 0-15Big Ten

Ohio State

14-12, 7-8Big Ten

Ohio State

Rutgers

Nov 08 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Rutgers’ middle blockers combine for 10 kills, a .416 attack percentage and four total blocks

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Nov. 8, 2017) – Rutgers volleyball was barely edged in team blocks, digs and aces against Ohio State on Wednesday at College Ave. Gym, leading to the Buckeyes' straight-set win by scores of 25-21, 25-12, 25-17.

The Buckeyes (14-12, 7-8 B1G) eked out advantages in digs (47-43), blocks (6-4) and service aces (5-3), while hitting .272. The Scarlet Knights (5-22, 0-15) posted their highest attack percentage (.125) and dig total (43) over the last four matches.

Junior outside hitter Sahbria McLetchie led the attack with six kills, while sophomore middle blockers Stasa Miljevic and Jasmine Stackhouse turned in efficient evening with five kills apiece and a combined .416 hitting clip to go with four total blocks.

Set 1 | Ohio State 25, Rutgers 21
Freshman opposite hitter Kamila Cieslik and Stackhouse kills helped Rutgers to an early 4-1 lead, which held until Ohio State used a 5-1 run to gain its first lead at 7-6. The Buckeyes followed with 3-0 and 4-0 runs within minutes of each other to take a 16-10 lead.

RU answered with six straight despite a Buckeye timeout amid the run, which was powered by kills from freshman opposite hitter Beka Kojadinovic and Stackhouse, and an ace from Cieslik to tie the set at 16-16.

The teams traded runs until Ohio State had a slight 23-21 advantage, which led to a 4-0 spurt to hand OSU the opening set.

Set 2 | Ohio State 25, Rutgers 12
Cieslik and Stackhouse got the Scarlet Knights started again with kills to open the set up 2-0, but Ohio State had a quick answer with five straight and an overall 7-1 run. The Buckeyes doubled up with another 7-1 run to take a 14-7 lead. Kojadinovic picked up two more kills for Rutgers, but OSU coasted to take a 2-0 set lead.

Set 3 | Ohio State 25, Rutgers 17
Ohio State didn't slow down as they took control of the final set with a 7-0 run to start the frame. Rutgers didn't go away as sophomore setter Megan Sharkey served up back-to-back aces to bring Rutgers within 9-4. Later, RU notched its second 3-0 run of the set as Miljevic bounced a kill to make it 15-9 in favor of the Buckeyes, who called its first timeout to break the spurt.

Rutgers tightened the final set with an 8-3 run midway through behind two kills from Miljevic, and a powerful attack from Sharkey off a dig from McLetchie. With Ohio State up 18-14, Sharkey got in on two more points down the stretch with an assist and a block assist, but the Buckeyes maintained the slim lead to clinch the Big Ten road win.

KNIGHT NOTES

Senior setter Talia Holze passed out eight assists, her highest total since posting 11 on Sept. 9 against South Dakota.
Kojadinovic made her first start since Sept. 2 and produced three kills, seven digs and two block assists.
Ohio State sweeps the season series and improves to 7-0 over Rutgers as opponents in the Big Ten.
With the victory, Ohio State head coach Geoff Carlston recorded his 400^th career win.
Cieslik led the team with eight digs, the sixth match this season the rookie opposite hitter has paced her team defensively.
Rutgers continued its streak of at least one service ace in every game this season with three on Wednesday. Sharkey had two, while Cieslik picked up one to maintain her second place ranking in the Big Ten in the service ace category.

Up Next: Rutgers hits the road on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. ET for a Big Ten match at No. 6 Nebraska.

Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).

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