The No. 12 Ohio State University women’s volleyball team (5-1) commences an eight-match stretch away from Columbus by playing in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational hosted by Missouri State University. In addition to facing the host Bears (3-3) who are receiving votes in this week’s AVCA Coaches Poll, Ohio State is also slated to face IUPUI (2-5) and undefeated Green Bay (5-0).
MATCH COVERAGE
Friday, Sept. 9
1 pm ET – Ohio State vs. IUPUI | Live Stats
8 pm ET – Ohio State at Missouri State | WatchESPN | Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 10
6 pm ET – Ohio State vs. Green Bay | Live Stats
Twitter match updates | @ohiostatewvball
CAREER RECORD BOOKS UNDER SIEGE
Seniors Valeria León and Taylor Sandbothe have launched an attack on the Ohio State Record Books, cracking the Top-10 in multiple statistical categories with sights set on the top spot:
León:
3.34 digs per set rank third in OSU history (school record – 3.45 digs/set – Chelsea Noble; 2008-09)
1,342 total digs ranks third (school record – 1,572 digs – Stacey Gordon; 2001-04)
Sandbothe:
1.15 blocks per set rank second in OSU history (school record – 1.19 blocks/set – Shellye Sills; 1997-99)
91 solo blocks rank second (school record – 139 – Sherri Rinker; 1984-87)
447 total blocks rank fourth (school record – 517 – Dawn McDougall; 1988-91)
.307 attacking efficiency ranks sixth (school record – .366 – Sara Daniel; 1991-94)
355 block assists rank sixth (school record – 442 – Dawn McDougall; 1988-19)
HEY THERE, SIS!
Just two weeks into her sophomore campaign, Taylor Hughes already ranks 13th in school history with 1,198 assists entering the weekend. Next on the list slotted 12th overall is none other than Taylor’s sister, Ashley Hughes. Ashley compiled 1,392 assists during her Buckeye career (2006-09).
AVCA RANKINGS
Ohio State sits at No. 12 in this week’s AVCA Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes are one of eight Big Ten teams ranked in the Top-25 with Michigan State the top team in the ‘others receiving votes’ section.
INDIVIDUALS CRACKING THE TOP-25, STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Entering the weekend, Taylor Hughes ranks 23rd nationally with a .59 service aces per set average. Meanwhile, Taylor Sandbothe’s .426 hitting percentage is good for a 24th place ranking.
DOWNTOWN ACTION
In a dress rehearsal of sorts for the 2016 NCAA Championship being hosted at Nationwide Arena Dec. 15 & 17, the Buckeyes held the Sports Imports D.C. Koehl Classic in downtown Columbus last weekend. Ohio State won their first eight sets, sweeping past LIU Brooklyn and Wyoming before going ahead two-sets-to-none vs. No. 10 BYU, and ultimately finishing 2-1 inside the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
BUCKEYES DEPART TEXAS WITH THREE WINS IN HAND
Ohio State leaped into the 2016 season by capturing the North Texas Challenge title, securing three victories in the process. The Buckeyes opened by sweeping past Texas State and North Texas in straight sets before handing No. 16 Texas A&M its first loss of the young season, besting the Aggies in five sets. Taylor Hughes, Valeria León and Taylor Sandbothe earned all-tournament honors with Sandbothe selected as the event’s Most Valuable Player. It marks the ninth consecutive non-conference event in which Sandbothe picked up all-tourney accolades, a streak dating back to her freshman year.
SANDBOTHE NAMED BIG TEN’S BEST OF OPENING WEEK
Taylor Sandbothe is the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week after her MVP performance at the North Texas Challenge. She has now earned B1G weekly laurels in all four seasons of her career. She was the conference’s Player of the Week last year (Sept. 7, 2015), Defensive Player of the Week in 2014 (Sept. 8) and twice the Freshman of the Week (Nov. 11; Nov. 25, 2013).
For the week, Sandbothe averaged 4.09 kills per set while attacking at a .507 clip. She was responsible for a total of 55.5 points (5.05/set) on 45 kills, 10 blocks (1s, 9a) and five service aces. She exploded for career highs with 26 points and 32 point’s in Ohio State’s top-20 victory over No. 16 Texas A&M.
BATTLE-TESTED BUCKEYES
Ohio State’s non-conference slate this season pits the Buckeyes against three 2015 conference champions and an overall combined opponent record of 254-127 (.667). When combined with the Big Ten adversaries, OSU is set to clash with teams ranked inside the AVCA Top-25 11 times with an additional three contests versus institutions currently receiving votes.
COLUMBUS — THE CITY THAT CROWNS CHAMPIONS
The 2016 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held in Nationwide Arena. The NCAA Semifinals are contested on Dec. 15, followed two days later by the crowning of a national champion on Saturday, Dec. 17, in front of a national television audience on ESPN. Tickets are ON SALE NOW!
In addition, volleyball fans can also look forward to the 2017 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship which is also being hosted in Ohio’s capital city (St. John Arena — May 4-6, 2017).
NEW SEASON TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS FOR 2016
The Buckeyes play 10 matches inside historic St. John Arena, all against Big Ten opponents, beginning on Sept. 28 vs. Northwestern. Ohio State also hosts a tournament the weekend of Sept. 2-3 at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus.
Additional benefits for season ticket holders in 2016 include:
– Chance to win two All-Session Passes to the 2016 Women’s Volleyball Final Four December 15 & 17 at Nationwide Arena
– 2015 Sweet Sixteen mini banner
– Post-match photo with the team
– Barbecue with the team
– Invite to the postseason banquet
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