The Ohio State women’s volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point against Iowa Oct. 31. The Buckeyes beat the Hawkeyes 3-0. Credit: Matthew Wu | Lantern Photographer
The Buckeyes kicked off their road trip with a thrilling victory over the Wolverines.
Ohio State (11-12, 4-9 Big 10) defeated Michigan (16-8, 6-7 Big 10) in a tightly contested five-sets (25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-7) on the heels of a team-high 18 kills by freshman outside hitter Emmi Sellman.
After a deadlock at seven early in the first set, a 5-0 run by the Buckeyes capped off by back-to-back kills from middle blocker Rylee Rader caused a Michigan timeout.
However, Michigan fought back, tying the set at 19 on a Buckeye service error by libero Olivia Hasbrook.
Moments later, Rader dumped the ball over the net to help the Buckeyes take a 22-20 lead.
Sellman tallied a service ace to get to set point, before a kill from outside hitter Reese Wuebker won Ohio State the set 25-20.
The Wolverines jumped out to a 4-1 lead to begin the second set, but the Buckeyes came back with a 3-0 run of their own to tie the set at four.
Michigan quickly took control of the set, taking a four-point lead to push the score to 11-7.
Ohio State attempted to mount a comeback as a kill by Sellman, assisted by Hasbrook, cut the Wolverines lead to three.
Sellman floated the ball high out of bounds for Michigan’s set point, before a Wolverines block won them the set 25-21.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines traded points to start the third set as Sellman got a kill to tie the game at eight. Setter Mia Tuman then had another kill to take the lead.
After Michigan received a service error for a Buckeye set point and a shared block from middle blocker Eloise Brandewie and Wuebker, Ohio State won the set 25-20.
The Wolverines started the fourth set hot, jumping out to a 9-4 lead, causing the Buckeyes to take a timeout.
Defensive specialist Kaitlyn Hoffman checked into the game and shortly after got an ace, followed by a block from Brandewie, to tie the game at 18.
Michigan went on a 3-0 run of its own, forcing the Buckeyes to call a timeout. Michigan went on to score the last two points, taking a 25-21 set win.
To open the fifth set, Sellman earned an ace to help spur a 4-0 run, to take a 5-2 lead.
Sellman hit the ball to the back right corner for a kill, pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to 13-7.
Ohio State sealed its victory 15-7 after two attack errors on the final two plays from the Wolverines.
The Buckeyes head to Champaign, Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini on Saturday at 8 p.m.
