Volleyball team ready for final preseason tournament

by Tom Valentino
Staff Writer

With an 8-1 record, it would appear the Ohio volleyball team has a reason to be excited. Ohio coach Mike Lessinger, however, is curbing his enthusiasm until after this weekend's Connecticut Invitational in Storrs, Conn.

"I think other teams might look at our record and be skeptical. We're not a true 8-1," Lessinger said. "Still, I think it says something that we are beating the teams we are supposed to beat."

Despite the upcoming opponents' records, Lessinger said the level of difficulty in Ohio's competition should increase this weekend. The Bobcats will compete against host Connecticut (4-4), Rhode Island (1-8) and Wisconsin-Green Bay (4-6).

Lessinger said Connecticut shows some similarities to the Bobcats, while Rhode Island's tough early season schedule is responsible for its poor start.

"With UConn, you'll see a lot of athletes. They are a good blocking team, as are we," Lessinger said. "Rhode Island is a battle-tested team. They've played two or three ranked opponents already and they don't have any bad losses."

Setter Michelle Gil said the Bobcats will need to excel in every part of their game this weekend.

"We rely heavily on the serve-receive, plus our passing and blocking," Gil said. "If we serve-receive well, we will have no trouble running our offense."

This is the final non-conference tournament the Bobcats play this season. Ohio opens its Mid-American Conference schedule against Bowling Green and Ball State next weekend in The Convo. Middle hitter Tracy Binegar said this weekend's tournament will be important in building momentum for the MAC opener.

"Since it's our last preseason tournament before the MAC starts, we are hoping to come out with three more wins," Binegar said. "We want to get better with each match and then prepare for next week at The Convo."

The Ohio volleyball team begins play in the Connecticut Invitational with a match against Wisconsin-Green Bay at 5 p.m. Friday in Storrs, Conn.