After a tight 25-22 third set in favor of Indiana volleyball, the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio, felt noticeably empty heading into the fourth set. With more seats left vacant compared to the first two sets, the Buckeyes’ student section appeared significantly reduced.
With momentum swinging toward Indiana, Ohio State refused to let the Hoosiers spoil its senior night. The Buckeyes came out firing offensively and comfortably took the fourth set, 25-17.
Ohio State carried that momentum into the fifth set, and the Buckeyes cruised to a decisive win, handing the Hoosiers a loss in their final road game of the regular season.
Indiana has played in just three five-set matches this season, including this one. The Hoosiers won the other two early in the season, defeating Wichita State University on Aug. 31 and Ball State University on Sept. 14.
Ohio State, on the other hand, had more experience in five-set matches but hadn’t fared well, securing only one win against Michigan on Nov. 8.
In the previous matchup against Ohio State on Oct. 6, graduate student outside hitter Emily Londot dominated at the net, recording 23 kills in four sets against the Hoosiers. On Sunday, Indiana again struggled to contain Londot, as she continued her strong performance with 20 kills for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s attack was more balanced Sunday, with freshman outside hitter Emmi Sellman and graduate middle blocker Rylee Rader also causing problems for Indiana. Sellman notched 19 kills, while Rader added 13.
Meanwhile, Indiana junior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles capped off a dominant weekend. She tied her season high with 23 kills on Sunday, marking her second consecutive match with 20 or more kills after recording 20 against UCLA on Nov. 22.
Indiana claimed narrow victories in sets two and three, winning by just 3 and 2 points, respectively. However, Ohio State dominated the sets it won, building early leads and maintaining control. The Buckeyes set the tone in each set they won, jumping out to an 8-2 start in the first set, a 13-8 lead in the fourth and an 11-5 advantage in the fifth.
With the loss to Ohio State, Indiana’s struggles on the road remained consistent all season, as it went 3-10 with only two of the wins against conference opponents: Rutgers on Nov 1 and Maryland on Nov. 2.
The Hoosiers return to Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington for their final two matches of the season. Indiana will face its last Big Ten opponent, Michigan, at 7 p.m. Wednesday before hosting Illinois for Indiana’s senior night at 7 p.m. Friday.
Follow reporter Parker Rodgers (@parrod153) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
