Merrill Sets School Kills Record in Win Over Morehead State

ATHENS, Ohio (November 15, 2000) -- Amber Merrill broke the Ohio single-season kill record with 32, while hitting .329, to lead Ohio to a 15-5, 15-12, 10-15, 12-15, 15-11 victory over Morehead State Tuesday night in Morehead, Ky. She increased her 2000 total to 496, surpassing her own mark of 464, and is now within 73 of becoming the school's all-time career leader.

Michelle Gil added 69 assists and a season-high 24 digs, while freshmen Lindsay Judice and Laura Hageman tallied 15 and 12 kills, respectively. Tracy Binegar contributed to the Bobcats' defensive efforts with a career-best 12 blocks.

Ohio, 19-10 overall, took the first game easily, 15-5, and was ahead 10-2 in the second when the Eagles began their rally. They cut the deficit to 14-12 before falling by three, but used the momentum to turn the match.

After trailing in the third by scores of 4-1 and 6-4, Morehead State scored four straight points to open an 8-6 advantage. The Eagles continued the run by answering an Ohio point with a 7-2 run to take the third game, 15-9,

After falling behind 1-0 in the fourth, MSU rattled off a 14-1 run - including 10 straight points - to move to the verge of forcing a deciding game. However, the Bobcats responded by cutting the margin to 13-4, then 14-12, before allowing another point. The match was even at two, but the Bobcats stole the momentum.

Each team started the fifth game with an attack error to leave the score 1-1, but Ohio tallied three straight points. The Bobcats maintained their lead, 10-7, by answering a Morehead State point with one of their own for the next 12 serves. They then tallied back-to-back points to break the streak and go on to victory.