The IU volleyball team lost its third straight match Saturday, falling to Ohio State in four sets.
The Buckeyes (17-6, 5-5) defeated the Hoosiers (14-10, 3-7) by scores of 25-19, 25-22, 23-25 and 25-23.
Junior outside hitter Katie Dull paced Ohio State offensively, killing 19 balls at a .293 clip. Dull also registered three block assists and a service ace.
Senior middle blocker Kristen Dozier shined at the net for the Buckeyes with five total blocks and stellar defense of IU's hitting.
For the Hoosiers, junior middle blocker Ashley Benson recorded 12 kills, four block assists and three consecutive service aces (in the third set).
Graduate right-side hitter Whitney Thomas had her most productive outing of the season, posting 11 kills at a .348 hitting percentage.
Junior middle blocker Taylor Wittmer saw her most extensive action of the Big Ten season and shined with 6 kills at a .353 clip and three total blocks.
Sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin tallied 31 assists and also defended well at the net with four total blocks.
Defensively, sophomore libero Caitlin Cox led IU with 16 digs. Cox also added three service aces to the Hoosiers' efforts.
Ohio State opened the match strong, opening a wide enough margin to seal the first set 25-19 and posting a .576 hitting percentage to claim the second contest 25-22.
The early points of the third set favored the Hoosiers, who opened a four-point advantage on Benson's three consecutive aces. IU continued its run to a comfortable 20-14 lead, but the Buckeyes rallied to 23-23 before IU won the next two points to force another frame.
The fourth set went back-and-forth throughout with nine lead changes until Ohio State freshman outside hitter Emily Danks sealed the victory for the Buckeyes with the final kill.
The Hoosiers return home next weekend for matches against Illinois at 7 p.m. Friday and Northwestern at 7 p.m. Saturday.
