A great team battles through adversity to get critical points when it needs them.
As Northwestern came back last night from 24-17 in the second set against Ohio State to win the frame 27-25 and tie the match up at one all, it seemed that maybe the Wildcats were going to be that team in the match.
“I thought it was great,” sophomore outside hitter Yewande Akanbi said. “Usually when people challenge us we don’t fight back and this time we fought back.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards.
The Cats (15-10, 4-10 Big Ten) were defeated by the No. 15 Ohio State Buckeyes (18-8, 9-5) on the road 3-1 in their second matchup of the season. During the first match at Welsh-Ryan Arena, NU was dominated by the Buckeyes 3-0 including giving up back-to-back 7-point and 5-point runs to lose the first set 25-13.
“We did give our chance (to compete) in the last three sets,” head coach Keylor Chan said. “It just came down to some execution things. We just didn’t execute at some critical times.”
Unlike the previous match, NU got off to a stronger start against Ohio State, with back and forth play putting the Cats in striking distance. However, after a 4-0 run by Ohio State to make the score 18-10, NU fought back but never get close to the lead, losing the set 25-17.
A 4-4 tie developed early in the second set, but after back-to-back 4-point and 3-point runs, Ohio State ran out to an 11-5 lead. The Buckeyes continued to dominate the set to make the score 24-17 before NU made a statement for its season, going on a 7-0 run to tie the match up at 24 before winning 27-25. However, the Cats would drop a close third set 25-23 before losing the fourth set 25-20.
“I feel like we worked hard and put in a lot of effort,” Akanbi said. “We just have to push that extra mile so that we can beat those teams and get to the tournament.”
Tonight’s loss continues the Cats’ difficulties with Ohio State. Since 2008, NU’s record against the Buckeyes is 1-9, with the only win coming last year when the team upset then No. 22 Ohio State 3-2 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
“They (Ohio State) play a very hard nose type of volleyball that’s difficult,” junior outside hitter Stephanie Holthus said.
This match was even more critical for the Cats given their need for wins to make the postseason. Currently 10th in the Big Ten with only five games remaining, two against teams ranked in the top 25, NU’s ability to pick up the two or three victories needed to have a good shot at making the NCAA tournament is becoming much harder.
“Every win and every loss counts, especially later in the year,” Chan said. “We have to do what we have to do.”
The road doesn’t get any easier for the Cats this weekend. NU will travel to State College, Pa., to take on No. 2 Penn State (23-2, 13-1). In the teams’ previous match, NU kept each set close but couldn’t pull away with a victory, ultimately losing the match 3-0.
For Chan, the key is for the team just to stay focused with its play this weekend, and the results will come along.
“We have to have a good day of practice tomorrow, and then we have to go out and execute against Penn State,” Chan said. “I don’t think it’s any more complex than that.”
