Losers of its last four conference matchups, the Ohio State men’s volleyball team returns home this weekend for a pair of dates with Quincy. The team will look to use the final weekend of the regular season to regain the form it had earlier in 2013, when the Buckeyes rattled off 10 straight wins.
OSU has not hosted a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association foe since March 2, when Lewis beat the Buckeyes in straight sets.
OSU might see less stiff competition this weekend than it did in the difficult 2-4 conference road swing, as Quincy has just one win in 12 times out in league play.
OSU sits in a tie with Ball State for third-place in the eight-team MIVA, three games off the pace of first-place Lewis and two games clear of both Lindenwood and Grand Canyon, the teams tied for fourth.
Jockeying for spots in the conference standings over the weekend will be crucial for all MIVA teams, as the conference tournament is set to begin April 20. The regular season champion, which OSU is out of the running for, will be awarded a bye during the tournament’s quarterfinal round.
Tournament matchups are held at the higher-seeded school throughout the event. A single win this weekend would bring the Buckeyes quarterfinal matchup to Columbus, where the team is 10-1 this season.
OSU has not had to play a MIVA Tournament match outside of St. John Arena since 2006, when the team lost as the No 4-seed to No. 1-seed Loyola of Chicago in the semifinals.
After falling to an overall record of 17-7, OSU dropped from No. 11 to No. 12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, the lowest position it has held all year.
Friday’s contest with Quincy is set to begin at 7 p.m. at St. John Arena. The following night’s match will be held at the same time and place, with ceremonies beforehand to honor the team’s seven seniors.