The Ohio State University men’s volleyball program ventures to Hamilton, Ontario for a final tune-up by taking on McMaster University in an exhibition match on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. ET. The international battle has been dubbed as the Nike Team North America Challenge. The Buckeyes officially open up the 2017 campaign by hosting the AVCA Showcase and Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge the following weekend (Jan. 6-7).
Video Stream & Live Stats: OUA.tv
FACING CANADA’S ELITE
McMaster University enters Friday’s contest with six matches, all victories, in hand after starting its 2016-17 season on Sept. 28. The Marauders are currently ranked No. 2 nationally and finished as the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) runner-ups last season.
PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATION
Ohio State’s NCAA title defense begins with an additional bullseye, selected as the top-ranked team in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll. The Buckeyes received 23 of 24 first-place votes. In addition, three Buckeyes were voted to the Off the Block Preseason All-America Team. Preseason predictions were overwhelmingly positive from the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) head coaches as well.
Preseason Accolades:
Christy Blough | Second Team All-America | All-MIVA
Gabriel Domecus | All-MIVA
Miles Johnson | First Team All-America | All-MIVA
Nicolas Szerszen | First Team All-America | | MIVA Preseason Player of the Year | All-MIVA
AVCA SHOWCASE & BIG TEN/PAC-12 CHALLENGE
Friday | January 6
5 p.m. ET – No. 13 Penn State vs. No. 2 UCLA
7 p.m. ET – No. 1 Ohio State vs. USC
Saturday | January 7
3 p.m. ET – No. 13 Penn State vs. USC (streamed live on BTN2Go, re-aired on BTN at 11 p.m. ET)
6 p.m. ET – No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 UCLA (Live on the Big Ten Network)
News courtesy of Ohio State Athletics.
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