OAC Championship Preview: Volleyball Looks to Continue Storybook Run

11/4/2022 8:20:00 PM | By: JCUSID

The Blue Streaks will need to be locked in to upend the #1 seed Cardinals.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- The 2022 John Carroll Volleyball team has made history already.

The Blue Streaks have made it to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship for the first time since 2014.

Now, JCU Volleyball is looking to bring home the program's first OAC Championship since 1993.

John Carroll beat Muskingum at home on Thursday night in a nail-biting five-set match to punch their ticket to the Championship match.

Against Muskingum, the offensive leaders for the Blue Streaks were Abigail Kirk, Cassi Calamunci, and Steph Conley with a combined 48 kills. Calamunci delivered the clinching kill.

On Saturday, the Blue Streaks will head to Westerville to take on a tough competitor in the Otterbein Cardinals, no strangers to the big stage. The Cardinals have won four OAC Tournament crowns in ten years.

The two teams last met on October 19, when Otterbein won in four close sets in Westerville. JCU won the opening set before Otterbein recovered to win the last three.

While a 3-9 road record for the Blue Streaks against the Cardinals may seem daunting, a tough OAC tournament means that anything can happen.

The Blue Streaks have looked to graduate students Ally Bartolone and Cassi Calamunci for strong leadership this season. Bartolone has been crucial for the Blue Streaks' offense as a marvelous setter, and Calamunci was named the 2022 OAC Player of the Year for her impressive season by leading her the conference in kills.

Sophomore Jessica Liddle has also been key for the Blue Streaks this season, earning an All-OAC Honorable Mention.

The Blue and Gold will be facing a tough Otterbein team. Three of their players made First Team All-OAC with another on the honorable mention list.

Amber Greeley tallied a career-high 21 kills in Thursday's semifinal win over Marietta. Fellow senior Carlie Craycraft needs just 19 assists to become Otterbein's all-time leader in the category.

John Carroll was picked to finish eighth in the preseason coaches' poll. Thanks to the strong leadership of Head Coach Michele Benoit, this Blue Streaks team has far surpassed preseason expectations.

To win on the road, the Blue Streaks will need to maintain the team's even-keeled attitude that's been prevalent all season. The no-quit Blue Streaks will need every ounce of grit to beat the Cardinals.

The winner of Saturday's championship match will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The match begins at 1 pm in Westerville.

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