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The most successful season in program history for No. 15 Charleston now has a signature non-conference moment.
Charleston earned its first all-time win against a nationally ranked opponent as it defeated No. 13 Ohio State 19-25, 25-19, 25-23, 28-26 on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
Setter Diego Villafane had 45 assists and guided the Golden Eagles offense to a .429 attack percentage. The Golden Eagles (15-1, 3-1 EIVA) hit at least .500 in two games against the Buckeyes, including a match-best .684 attack percentage in the opening game.
“Monumental win for the program that took a full team effort. The game was certainly filled with emotion and high caliber volleyball from both sides,” Charleston coach Luke Reynolds said in an interview with Off the Block. “Super proud of the fight and level of my guys tonight and believe it’s only the beginning of what’s to come.”
Outside attacker Luuk Hoge Bavel in the victory finished with a match-high 18 kills and hit .552. This season-best performance also came after Hoge Bavel hit in the negative during a loss to George Mason last week – the team’s first loss of the season that snapped a 14-match winning streak.
Along with Hoge Bavel, outside attacker Lachlan Bray had 14 kills on a .458 attack percentage and had a kill in the fourth-game overtime to set up the match-point. Opposite Garret Schnitker added 14 kills that was highlighted with team-high five kills in the fourth game.
Schnitker and middle attacker Veit Bils also combined for the match-winning block to cap off a 4-1 run in the overtime.
Bils led all players with six blocks and added nine kills on a .538 attack percentage.
Ohio State in the loss hit .231 but was limited to a .057 attack percentage in the final game. In addition, setter Mchael Wright, who was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time since January, finished with 46 assists and had an ace.
Opposite Samuel Clark led Ohio State with 18 kills and was one of three Buckeyes with two aces.
The Buckeyes finished with nine aces – eight more aces than the Golden Eagles (15-1, 3-1 EIVA).
Charleston with this victory is now one win away from matching its program’s single-season record for victories. The team already has more wins than in it had combined in its previous two seasons.