Dec. 5, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Ohio State dominated at the net with 14 team blocks to just two from Lipscomb and hit at a clip of .274 for the match to gain a three-set victory over the Bisons on Friday night in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky.
Freshman outside hitter Luisa Schirmer paced the Buckeyes (22-11) with a match-best 12 kills, while Erin Sekinger had 10 and hit a match-best .333. Senior setter Taylor Sherwin had 32 assists and nine digs in the match to lead OSU. Lipscomb’s senior outside hitter Lauren Ford paced the Bison with 10 kills.
The Buckeyes won the first set 25-20 after trailing at the first timeout 15-13. OSU answered the call by earning four consecutive points to gain a two-point lead it would not relinquish. The Buckeyes were led by Sekinger, who had a team-best four kills in the set, while Taylor Sandbothe and Sherwin each had two blocks.
The lead only changed three times in the second set as Ohio State controlled most of the game. The Buckeyes gained a 17-9 lead midway through the set, prompting a Lipscomb timeout. The timeout didn’t slow down OSU, however, as the Buckeyes rolled to a 25-14 win behind hitting .281 for the set, adding seven blocks.
The Buckeyes played a strong third set to close out the match, allowing the first point of the set before having at least a share of the lead the rest of the way. The Buckeyes hit .375 for the set to clinch the match.
Ohio State’s win advances the Buckeyes to the second round of the tournament against the winner of Friday’s second match between No. 13 Kentucky and Horizon League Champion Oakland. The second round match will be held on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.
