Women’s Volleyball: No. 3-seed Ohio State ‘excited’ for NCAA Tournament, hosts Tennessee State

The No. 3 seed Ohio State girls’s volleyball staff has misplaced 4 consecutive matches and is about to face a streaking Tennessee State staff Friday that has received its final seven and received the Ohio Valley Convention Match in 3-2 for all three rounds. 

The Buckeyes (19-9, 15-5 Large Ten) misplaced a 14 match win-streak after shedding each of their final two weekend sequence. Regardless of the current drought, senior outdoors hitters Jenaiysa Moore and Adria Powell mentioned they’re assured of their staff.

“Our aim is totally different now, and so all people else needs that very same aim so everybody goes to go two instances more durable,” Moore mentioned. “It’s only a matter of how we come collectively.” 

The Buckeyes hit .233 and .173 within the remaining two units, bettering from .122 within the first and sub-.000 within the second, in opposition to No. 3 Wisconsin Saturday. Moore and Powell mixed for 10 kills. 

Coming into the postseason, Powell mentioned she thinks the Buckeyes started to refind their groove within the remaining units final weekend.

“There have been a number of moments within the recreation once we had been taking part in Buckeye volleyball,” Powell mentioned. “It was a great recreation main into the match as a result of we obtained again our type of play and our grit.” 

Powell mentioned the final match in opposition to the Badgers, who earned a No. 1 seed, was difficult, however good moments had been taken away from it. 

Moore mentioned getting their confidence again has been useful, they usually received’t deal with what their current play has been, noting their philosophy for the yr has been to maneuver on to the subsequent level.

“We simply belief one another, lean on one another and belief that we’re going to do our job on the finish of the day,” Moore mentioned. 

Tigers senior outdoors hitter Johanna Alcantara leads Tennessee State (19-15, 10-8 Ohio Valley) offensively, averaging 3.8 kills per set.

As a staff, Ohio State’s offense averages 14.12 kills per set whereas permitting 12.22. Compared, Tennessee State averages 12.44 kills per set and permits 11.84. 

Powell mentioned there’s a number of confidence that comes from the Buckeyes’ Large Ten-leading protection, which averages 15.89 digs a set.

“I don’t assume that it will likely be an enormous downside,” Powell mentioned. “We’ve been speaking in regards to the pins, being aggressive and going for it.”

Moore mentioned that the staff is happy to host the opening rounds of the match, however is ready for robust street environments. 

Ohio State can host its first two video games within the match if it wins the primary match in opposition to Tennessee State. The Buckeyes can be on street for the rest of the season, however they’re conversant in being on the street having performed 10-straight street matchups after opening the yr at house in opposition to then-No. 2 Texas. 

“To start with of the season we created our personal ambiance,” Moore mentioned. “We had been actually locked in collectively, understanding all people else is in opposition to us.”

The winner of the Ohio State and Tennessee State match will play the winner of the USC and Excessive Level College match Saturday on the Covelli Heart at 6 p.m.

Moore mentioned Ohio State must have an underdog mentality to make a run within the match. She mentioned strolling right into a gymnasium considering the alternative will harm the staff’s efficiency. 

“I’m actually excited for us to see how far we go —, and hopefully win a natty,” Moore mentioned. 

The Buckeyes start their NCAA Match run Friday at 7:30 p.m. in opposition to Tennessee State. ESPN+ will broadcast.