The recent success of the men's volleyball team is something some Ohio State fans might be familiar with, but in one week, the most important part of their season begins: the NCAA tournament.
The Ohio State men's volleyball team went through a regular season of some insane highs, including setting a new school record for longest win streak in head-to-head sports and held down the No. 1 ranking in the NCAA for much of the season en route to a 26-2 finish before the MIVA Conference tournament.
At the tournament, the Buckeyes remained dominant, winning nine sets while only losing two and ultimately being named conference champions.
Junior Nicolas Szerszen earned his second consecutive player of the year award and head coach Pete Hanson did the same with the coach of the year award. Senior setter Christy Blough earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor, given out to the best graduating player in the conference for both men and women. (Sidenote: fellow Buckeye Emma Baranski took home the award on the women's side with her performance in synchronized swimming.)
But, beginning May 4, the regular season matters very little. What the Buckeyes are focused on is a national title defense in St. John Arena, and, as the overall No. 1 seed, their chances are as high as anyone's.
The tournament is consistent of 6 teams, with the top two (Ohio State and Long Beach State) earning first round byes.
The Buckeyes will take on the winner of Hawaii and Penn State May 4, and that could spell trouble.
While the VolleyBucks were very good all season, they suffered two losses. One of those losses came at the hands of the Nittany Lions 3-2 on March 28.
In that matchup, however, Penn State had the strength of home court. Bringing the matchup to St. John Arena could provide an added boost for the top-seeded Buckeyes should they face a problem with the Nittany Lions.
Hawaii is their other possible opponent in the semifinals, and this season, the Buckeyes haven't taken on the Rainbow Warriors. The lack of familiarity could prove to be a challenge for the squad, but Hawaii would be dealing with the same issue.
The Bucks could potentially face off with Barton, BYU or Long Beach State in the championship bout, and if history is to judge, the Scarlet and Gray have good chances.
Ohio State is 2-0 against Barton and Long Beach State this season, including a sweep of Barton and dropping only one set to Long Beach State. The squad hasn't faced off against BYU in 2017.
Ultimately, the team will need to win just two games — six sets in total — to be crowned NCAA champions for the second time in a row and for the third time since their first championship in 2011.
As the team boasts the best player on the court at any given time in Szerszen and some seniors who are looking to end their collegiate careers on a high note in front of a home crowd, it's hard to bet against the Bucks as the favorites.
