Ohio State women’s volleyball made its deepest tournament run since 2004, but ultimately fell short of the Final Four at the NCAA Tournament after a 3-1 loss to Texas, the No. 1 overall seed, Dec. 10.
“It’s a great team, and the opportunity to play against them at (their) home in a regional match like this, I think it’s something that’s memorable for our student athletes,” Ohio State coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg said following the loss. “It just gets us ready for more. Back in the gym.”
The Buckeyes arrived at that stage by knocking off second-seeded Minnesota in the regional semifinals Dec. 8, notching a 3-1 victory. Junior opposite hitter Emily Londot recorded 29 kills, a career high.
For a team that set out to surpass its Sweet 16 ending from the past two seasons, making it one step further in the NCAA Tournament was a fairly big deal.
“Just an amazing day for Buckeye volleyball,” Oldenburg said after the team advanced. “For this group to state some goals early on in the offseason, and to come out and accomplish this ‘more’ that we’ve been talking about, it’s pretty special.”
Three Buckeyes have since picked up All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Londot received second-team recognition alongside senior setter Mac Podraza, who is now fifth in program history for assists. This is the third consecutive All-American naming for both players.
Senior libero Kylie Murr joined Podraza and Londot as an All-American, receiving an honorable mention from the AVCA. Murr concludes her time at Ohio State as the school’s career record-holder in digs with 1,935.
Goldean, Wootton Receive All-American Honors
Two other Ohio State athletes, each of different sports, picked up their own All-American recognition this week for the Buckeyes.
In field hockey, fifth-year midfielder Emma Goldean was named a third-team All-American by the National Field Hockey Association. She picked up 16 points for OSU this season, tallying five goals and six assists. She set school records for career games played with 90 and games started with 87.
On the men’s soccer side of things, junior midfielder Laurence Wootton was recognized as a third-team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. Wootton, who was named Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in 2022, scored five goals, tied for the most on the squad. He added two assists as he helped OSU to an 11-3-6 record and second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
