Press Release courtesy of Ohio State Athletics
The Ohio State women’s volleyball team faces a pair of highly touted opponents this week, first heading to Madison to take on No. 8 Wisconsin Friday. The Buckeyes have a quick turnaround as they visit No. 5 Minnesota on Saturday night. Both matches are slated for 8 p.m. ET.
WEEKLY BASICS
Friday, Nov. 3 | 8 p.m. ET | Madison, Wis. | UW Field House
Ohio State (12-11, 5-7 B1G) at No. 8 Wisconsin (15-6, 6-6 B1G)
Saturday, Nov. 4 | 8 p.m. ET | Minneapolis, Minn. | Maturi Pavilion
Ohio State at No. 5 Minnesota (21-2, 10-2 B1G)
HISTORY WITH THE BADGERS & GOLDEN GOPHERS
Ohio State trails 41-35 in the all-time series with Wisconsin, which began in 1975. The Buckeyes and Badgers faced off three times a season ago and Wisconsin has been victorious in the last four outings. The last time the two teams did battle was during the 2016 NCAA Tournament Regional semifinals in Madison, where Ohio State came out on the wrong end of a five-set thriller.
Saturday’s match will be the second meeting of the season between the Buckeyes and Golden Gophers. Ohio State has dropped the last four matches of the series, including a three-set setback two weeks ago in St. John Arena. The two teams have battled on the hardwood 78 times since 1978 with Minnesota claiming 44 wins.
HUGHES DISHES 3,000
On Oct. 27, junior setter Taylor Hughes became the eighth player in Ohio State history to surpass 3,000 career assists. She currently ranks eighth in the history books with 3,096 assists. She has dished double-digit helpers in every match this season.
BUCKEYES IN THE B1G
Hannah Gruensfelder bumped her average to 4.67 digs per set, which is good for third in the league. Taylor Hughes is also representing the Buckeyes with 10.35 assists per set (11th) while Lauren Witte averages 1.09 blocks per set (8th) and has a .334 hitting percentage (14th). As a team, Ohio State stands fourth in digs per set (15.06).
SCOUTING WISCONSIN
The Badgers snapped a two-match skid with a three-set win over Northwestern last Saturday. The squad ranks third in the Big Ten in hitting percentage (.299), assists (13.42) and blocks (2.80). Dana Rettke has a .453 attack percentage, which is fourth in the nation. Sydney Hilley is eighth in the country with 11.70 assists per set.
LOOKING AT MINNESOTA
The Gophers are riding a nine-match win streak. Minnesota currently leads the conference in various categories behind 14.51 kills, 13.70 assists and 16.58 digs per set. Samantha Seliger-Swenson tops the Big Ten and ranks second in the nation with 12.20 assists per set.
CARLSTON APPROACHING 400 WINS
Head coach Geoff Carlston has been in charge of three programs during his 18-year career, having spent the last 10 seasons at the helm for Ohio State. Carlston’s amassed 398 career wins and is on track to check off No. 400 this season.
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