Buffalo volleyball is now in first-round bye contention following back-to-back sweeps this weekend.
The Bulls went 3-0 against the Kent State Golden Flashes (13-15, 6-8 Mid-American Conference) and the Ohio Bobcats (12-15, 7-7 MAC) in MAC playoff-deciding games. Buffalo saw solid play across the court, with multiple players having good performances throughout the weekend.
Buffalo was 2-4 in the MAC at the start of October, going winless at home during that stretch. Since, the Bulls have gone 6-2 and currently have a three-game win streak. The Bulls were ranked fifth in the East Division before the weekend but have now passed Ohio as the third-ranked team.
UB is now tied for fourth in the MAC with the Northern Illinois Huskies (10-19, 8-6 MAC) and the Eastern Michigan Eagles (16-12, 8-6). Whoever finishes fourth will receive a first-round bye in the MAC championship tournament. If Buffalo can’t win its last two games of the regular season, the Bulls will not have a first-round bye, having beaten both teams during the MAC season.
Buffalo’s first 3-0 win of the weekend came Friday against the Golden Flashes, going 25-17, 25-14, 25-18 in sets. The game included a standout performance from sophomore setter Tia Gleason who had 34 assist and 8 digs. Gleason would end with more assists than the Flashes had combined.
The Bulls returned to Alumni Arena Saturday to beat the Bobcats 25-14, 25-11, 25-20 in sets. The Bulls would play a tight game, only having 9 errors in the three sets. Gleason would follow up with a 41-assist performance, once again having more assists than the opposing team. Junior outside hitter Rachel Sanks led the offense with 16 kills on 27 attempts.
The Bulls play their last home game of the season against the last-in-MAC Akron Zips (11-14, 3-11 MAC), Thursday at 7 p.m.
Sports Desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
