#B1GCats Reach Milestones, But No. 19 Ohio State Gets the Win

9/28/2016 7:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Taylor Tashima and Symone Abbott recorded career milestones on Wednesday night at St. John Arena against No. 19 Ohio State, but the Buckeyes won in a 3-0 sweep.

Taylor Tashima had 25 assists on the night and reached 2,500 for her career early in the 3rd set. She is 26 away from passing Madelyn Shalter for sixth-place on the Northwestern all-time list.

"The hitters on our team deserve all the credit," Tashima said. "To be able to get an assist, we have to have hitters who can put away the ball."

Abbott recorded double-digit kills (14 on Wednesday) for the 25th straight match, dating back to Oct. 30 of last season. She has recorded 14 or more 17 times in that stretch.

"Symone is working really hard to be able to put up those numbers with a lot of people scheming against her," head coach Shane Davis said. "The fact that she is able to put up double-digit kills that many matches in a row is pretty impressive."

Ohio State was effective in hitting the ball away from libero Katie Kniep, meaning other Wildcats had to step up on the defensive end. Kaitlin Tavarez had a team-high 10 digs, followed by Rafae Strobos with nine and Tashima with eight. The Buckeyes were limited to .257 hitting on the night.

The Wildcats used a big 8-2 run early in the 1st set to grab a 9-8 lead, and after Ohio State retook the lead, scored five straight to notch things back up at 18. The Buckeyes prevailed in the opening frame, though, 25-21.

Ohio State used an 8-1 run late in the second set to pull away for a 2-0 lead and held off a strong Northwestern attack in the final frame to come away with a 28-26 third set win and the sweep.

Chicago's Big Ten Team returns home to take on Iowa at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.