No. 6 Ohio State Overcomes No. 11 Nittany Lions In Happy Valley

Story posted October 30, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Molly White

No. 6 Ohio State caps off the day in Happy Valley with another victory over the No. 11 Nittany Lions.

In an electrifying matchup between these two Big Ten rivals, it came down to the final points in five sets to give Ohio State the victory in a do-or-die matchup.

A gritty win like this was no stranger to the Buckeyes, as they battled through five sets in their first matchup with the Nittany Lions earlier this season.

Ohio State now improves to 11-1 in the Big Ten, while Penn State falls to 6-6.

In all-time matchups, the Nittany Lions take the series 51-20, but have fallen short in their last three encounters.

The Buckeyes came in hot off a nine game win streak making a big name for themselves, leading the conference averaging 14 kills per set.

Penn State coming in as the underdogs wasted no time as it took the first set with ease, as Allie Holland and Kashauna Williams tallied five kills to escape the first set 25-19.

Kashauna Williams, leading the team in kills, added another 24 to her name, putting her at 267.

Williams was amongst four players to break personal single-season highs; three on Penn State and one on Ohio State.

Penn State’s pride, Allie Holland, broke new ground recording eight blocks to shut out Ohio State’s powerhouse offense.

“When we have a lead and we’re at home, we have a great environment and great crowd,” Holland said. “We have got to take better advantage of that.”

Seleisa Elisaia proved just why she was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week for the week of Oct. 24, as she recorded her seventh double-double of the season. She tallied 50 assists and 14 digs, while also recording a new career high of four aces.

Both teams proceeded to play tug-of-war with the match record, passing off each set victory.

With the match tied at 1-1, Ohio State was on the heels of a second set win and with another one in the grasp, when the Buckeyes failed to ice it with a five point lead allowing the Nittany Lions the opportunity to come back.

Penn State went on a five-point run to tie the set at 24 off back-to-back serving aces by Gillian Grimes, and eventually sealed a 28-26 victory to put them up 2-1.

Ohio State asserted their dominance with a big fourth set win where they defeated Penn State 25-14, which was the largest margin of victory on the day.

Penn State had libero Maddy Bilinovic on the front lines to counter Ohio State’s hitting talents, but was unable to stop Gabby Gonzales and Emily Londot.

Londot and Gonzales accounted for 40 combined kills on the day, Gonzalez breaking her single-game record with 24.

Bilinovic tallied 20 digs and three assists on the day, but was ultimately defeated by the Nittany Lions’ inability to finish in make or break scenarios.

“Ohio State runs a very fast offense,” Bilinovic said. “It makes us very accountable for always talking in between contacts.”

Ohio State cemented its victory by out-killing Penn State 71-65, while keeping the Nittany Lions off the board by out-blocking them 26-22.

Penn State hosts Maryland at home on Wednesday as the Nittany Lions look to improve their Big Ten record.

 

Molly White is a third-year majoring in kinesiology, to contact her, email mkw5766@psu.edu.