BG Stuns Cats 3-0

The MAC East favorites didn't show up for this one. Coach Theis said we were outplayed in all phases. In response to 'Borna' who asked on a different thread, what that was all about, perhaps it was just an offnight. However, BG is an experienced team, nearly all players are juniors and seniors. They were up and down in the OOC (6-7), playing a decent schedule (though not nearly as tough as ours), with a signature win at Bloomington. Another factor might be their new coach with her new system. Coach Tomic  came from FIU in the Sun Belt where she was coach of the year 3 times. The MAC is definitely a conference on the rise.

On a side note, at the Convo last year after we beat BG, their previous coach of 29 years,  Denise Van DeWalle, took the mic, and in a noble gesture thanked the Convo fans and the band as being special, and that she always enjoyed coming to the Convo even though she had little success.

Cats Regroup to Rout Rival Miami 3-0

Like BG, the 1st set went down to the wire, but after that it was all OHIO.  Coach Theis thought they regained confidence  as the match went on.

Next weekend, the ladies return home Thursday against Kent then Saturday against a strong Central team from the powerful Western division of the MAC.

Cats actually host a pretty good Eastern Michigan team on Saturday.  Like Ohio, their pre-conference schedule was tough (Michigan, Duke, etc.).  Kent State, in on Thursday, has struggled again this year.  Go Cats!

Thanks for the summary.

One of my very good friends from my first days in Muncie has a daughter playing the libero spot at BG....interestingly the young lady inherited the spot at her high school from our own Meryl Bender. He is pretty high on the coach as is his daughter. Looks like the move made good sense in the greater scheme. THe MAC is becoming very competitive again.

Shondell will probably only stay for a few more years at BSU but is rapidly grooming his succcessors and has the Munciana Academy on track to produce somewhat of a farm system to get the best of the best out of Indiana .....that do not go elsewhere like our OH that just signed with USC out of New Castle.... Western and NIU are staying competitive and actively recrutiing Chicago as one of my friends that coaches in Naperville tells me.

The MAC is on the rise and getting some respect now that OHIO forced everyone to play catch up for the better part of a decade.

Well-said and very accurate representation of MAC volleyball at this juncture.  All of that said, Ohio still has every chance to win the MAC again this year -- regular season and tourney.  BG and Ball St are the only undefeated teams (both 2-0) so expect a balanced regular season to follow.  Starting tonight, the Bobcats play 8 of their next 10 at home and have a solid chance to win them all if they continue to grow and develop as a team.  Go Bobcats!