Women’s volleyball (11-10, 3-6 MAC) split its weekend series against the Ohio Bobcats (11-8, 5-3 MAC) in matches that each required an extra set to determine the winner. The win earned on Thursday marked the Bulls’ first against the Bobcats since 2018.
The first match ended with a Bulls victory in five sets: 27-29, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21 and 15-12. The match was a back and forth battle in which there were 17 lead changes. Fifth-year outside hitter Cali Assaley led the Bulls with 19 kills and a .472 hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Katrin Trebichavska contributed 11 kills to go with 13 digs. Junior outside hitter Abby Leigh, junior right side Emma Gielas and senior middle blocker Courtney Okwara added 10 kills each as part of a balanced UB effort.
The second match ended in a victory for the Bobcats. After two sets, 24 ties and six lead changes, the Bobcats and Bulls entered set three. The Bulls started off strong in the third set at 4-1 and finished off with a victory at 25-20.
After surrendering the fourth set at a 19-25 loss, the Bulls would also give up the fifth and final set in a 19-21 loss to the Bobcats. Gielas, Leigh and Trebishkava finished with double digit kills. The Bobcats had more kills than the Bulls, (79 to 63) but the Bulls won the battle of the net. The Bulls notched 12 blocks, with Okwara contributing seven total blocks. UB racked up 53 assists, with Leigh contributing 48.
Mandy and Abby Leigh, along with Trebichavska, have proven to be vital assets to the Bulls. Mandy leads the team with 681 assists while Abby Leigh and Trebichavska lead the team in kills.
The Bulls (11-10, 3-6 MAC) face off against Kent State Thursday at 6 p.m.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
