Ohio State excellence is not exclusive to the football field or the basketball court. Around the Oval is our way of keeping you informed of the amazing things happening with the other 34 varsity sports on campus.
Fall sports preview
The fall sports season is finally upon us. Football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and soccer are right around the corner. Women's volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer will be the first to get the season started.
Women's Volleyball
The first women’s volleyball game is in just 11 days in the beloved St. John Arena. The Buckeyes are heading into the season ranked 15 in the AVCA preseason poll. Ohio State is heading into one of the toughest schedules in the nation. In the duration of the season the Buckeyes will face four teams in the top ten including Nebraska (1), Minnesota (3), Wisconsin (4), and Penn State (9). They will also face top-25 ranked BYU, Illinois, Texas A&M, and Purdue. The Big Ten is notorious for producing powerhouse volleyball teams, which is proven in the fact that the conference has seven teams ranked in the top-25. Although their schedule will be challenging, last year Ohio State proved that it can compete with the best volleyball teams in the country. This young Ohio State team will be introducing six new freshmen to the roster. The team will rely on its four seniors, including blocker and Ohio State record holder Taylor Sandbothe, to lead the team to a Big Ten Championship.
ICYMI: Buckeyes slotted No. 15 in the @AVCAVolleyball Preseason Coaches Poll ---> https://t.co/krYmBHcDD5 pic.twitter.com/gKaK0XKPez
— OhioStateWVolleyball (@ohiostatewvball) August 15, 2016
Men's Soccer
The defending Big Ten Champions are set to have its first game on August 16 at Butler. The boys have been back on campus since early August getting ready for the season. In the preseason coaches poll, the Buckeyes are ranked 18, making Ohio State one of only four Big Ten teams to crack the top-25. Their toughest games this season will be against Maryland (4), Indiana (15), and Rutgers (25). This team is a good mix of the old and the new. The team will have eight returning seniors and nine incoming freshmen and recruits. The nine new players joining the squad make up the number four ranked recruiting class in the country, so great things are expected from them. The boys will host the Wolstein Classic at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium August 26 and 28. This annual event will be the team’s first set of home games in which they will face UC Santa Barbara and Virginia Tech.
Sounds like fall out here. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Uz4fNNgaTt
— OhioStateMensSoccer (@OhioState_MSOC) August 10, 2016
Women's Soccer
The women’s soccer team will host their first home game against Kent State on August 19. The team, ranked 23, just made the cut of the coaches preseason poll. The Buckeyes are one of three Big Ten teams, Penn State (2) and Rutgers (10), to crack the top-25. The team will also face top ranked West Virginia (6), BYU (16), and Virginia Tech (17) in its non-conference schedule. The Buckeyes will have six returning seniors including Olympian Nichelle Prince and six incoming freshman. Head coach Lori Walker states in an Ohio State release that the Big Ten will feel the presence of this 2016 class over time. She believes these players will bring a physical element to the Buckeyes that the team has been lacking.
All is quiet at the Jesse tonight.... 6 more nights till SHOWTIME! Luv new exterior lights! Proud to call my home! pic.twitter.com/mRTsOwxGXQ
— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioState_WSOC) August 14, 2016
We will have weekly updates on these teams here all season but for up to date news you can follow the teams' official Twitter accounts: @ohiostatewvball, @OhioState_WSOC, and @OhioState_MSOC. Also check out the Block "O" Student Section accounts @BlockOVball and @BlockOSoccer.
olympic updates
Buckeye athletes have been making their mark at the Olympic Games. Here's what you need to know from Rio.
- Eleanor Harvey, Canadian fencer, upset No. 1 in the world, Arianna Errigo, to advance to the round of eight.
- Ilse Paulis wins gold in women's lightweight double sculls for the Netherlands.
- Nichelle Prince and the Canadian women's soccer team moves onto the semi-finals.
- Michelle Williams of Team Canada wins bronze in the 4x100 freestyle relay
GOLD. I'm incredibly proud of my team and grateful beyond words for all that have made a contribution. Thank you pic.twitter.com/cy9YM3pyqm
— Ilse Paulis (@ilsepaulis) August 12, 2016
Congrats to all of the Ohio State athletes who made it to Rio and best of luck to the ones still competing! Thank you for making us proud back here in Ohio. Go Bucks!
