The Covelli Center gets loud. If you’ve never stood on the floor when the bass is thumping and the student section is leaning over the rails, you’re missing the point of Ohio State Buckeyes women's volleyball. It isn't just a sport in Columbus; it’s a culture that’s been grinding under the shadow of football for decades. But honestly? Things are shifting.
The Big Ten is a meat grinder. Everyone knows it. You have Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Penn State basically acting as the "Big Three" of the volleyball world, leaving everyone else to fight for scraps. For a long time, Ohio State was just a "good" team. They’d make the tournament, maybe win a game or two, and then run into a buzzsaw.
But Jen Flynn Oldenburg changed the math. When she took over in 2020, people weren't sure if a former player could actually bridge the gap between "competitive" and "elite." She did it by recruiting differently. She stopped looking for just height and started looking for speed.
The Oldenburg Effect and the 2024-2025 Pivot
Most people look at the record and see wins and losses. That’s boring. You have to look at the ball handling.
Under Oldenburg, Ohio State Buckeyes women's volleyball transitioned to a faster, more chaotic style of play that unnerves traditional powerhouses. They aren't trying to out-height Nebraska; they’re trying to out-work them. It’s about the transition game. The Buckeyes have become masters of the "scramble play." When the ball is shanked and everyone thinks the point is over, that’s when this team is most dangerous.
Look at the impact of players like Emily Londot. She wasn't just a hitter; she was an era-defining talent. When you have a three-time All-American who can terminate from the back row, it changes how defenses have to set up. It creates space for the middles. It makes the setter’s life easier.
But Londot’s departure left a massive hole. Now, the question isn't whether they can find another Londot—you don't just "find" that—it’s whether the system is strong enough to survive without a singular superstar.
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Why the Big Ten Schedule is a Blessing and a Curse
Playing in the Big Ten is basically like playing a Top 25 opponent every Wednesday and Saturday. It’s exhausting.
- The Travel: With the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, the "Midwest" conference is now a national flight schedule.
- The Depth: There are no "off" nights. Even a bottom-tier team in this conference has three players who could start anywhere else in the country.
- The Crowd: Ohio State has to go into environments like the Devaney Center in Lincoln, where 8,000 people are actively rooting for their downfall.
The Buckeyes have responded by turning the Covelli Center into a fortress. It’s smaller than the Schottenstein Center, and that’s intentional. It keeps the noise in. It makes the opposing server feel the heat of the crowd.
There’s a misconception that Ohio State is a "stepping stone" program. It’s not. With the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era in full swing, the Ohio State Buckeyes women's volleyball program has become a destination. They have the resources. They have the brand. And frankly, they have the gear. Don't underestimate how much a custom Nike deal matters to an 18-year-old recruit.
The Technical Side: Defense Wins in the Big Ten
If you want to understand why this team stays relevant, stop watching the hitters. Watch the liberos.
The Buckeyes’ defensive system is built on "reading" rather than "reacting." They don't just stand in a spot; they anticipate the hitter’s shoulder angle. This is where the coaching staff earns their paycheck. They spend hours in the film room breaking down the tendencies of every hitter in the conference.
Take the 2023 season as an example. The Buckeyes struggled early with injuries, but their floor defense kept them in matches they had no business being in. They were digging balls at a rate that frustrated even the best hitters in the league.
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Recruiting the Future: It’s Not Just About Ohio
Historically, Ohio State relied on the rich talent pool in the Midwest. Places like Munciana in Indiana or the local clubs in Cleveland and Columbus.
That’s still the backbone. But now? They’re going national. They’re pulling kids from Texas, California, and Florida. They’re selling the "pro-style" environment. If a kid wants to play for Team USA, they look at what Oldenburg has done with the developmental programs. She’s been there. She’s worn the jersey. That carries a level of street cred that a "career coach" simply doesn't have.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Rankings
Ranking systems in college volleyball are... weird. The RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) often penalizes teams for playing tough schedules if they lose a few close matches.
The Buckeyes often find themselves ranked lower than they actually are because they refuse to schedule "cupcakes" in the non-conference season. They’d rather lose 3-2 to a Top 5 team in September than sweep a nobody. Why? Because by the time the NCAA Tournament rolls around in December, they’re battle-hardened.
They know how to play under pressure. They know what it feels like to be down 24-22 in the fourth set against a hostile crowd. You can't teach that in practice.
The Roadmap for the Next Three Seasons
So, what’s the move? How does Ohio State Buckeyes women's volleyball jump from the "Sweet 16" ceiling to a "Final Four" reality?
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It comes down to the middle blockers. In the modern game, you need middles who can close the block from pin to pin. You can't just be big; you have to be mobile. The Buckeyes are currently grooming a younger core that emphasizes lateral speed over raw height.
If they can stabilize the setter position—which has seen some turnover recently—they have the offensive firepower to hang with anyone. The 6-2 system (using two setters) is always an option, but Oldenburg seems to prefer the rhythm of a 5-1 when she has the right personnel.
Real Talk: The Competitive Reality
Let’s be real for a second. The gap between the top three teams in the country and everyone else is still significant. Ohio State is firmly in that second tier, knocking on the door. To break through, they need a "program-defining" win. They need to walk into Madison or Lincoln and take a match when the stakes are at their highest.
They've been close. So close it hurts. But "close" doesn't hang banners in St. John Arena (the old home) or Covelli.
How to Follow and Support the Buckeyes Right Now
If you’re serious about following Ohio State Buckeyes women's volleyball, you can’t just check the score on Saturday night. You have to engage with the nuances of the season. Here is the best way to stay in the loop and actually understand what’s happening on the court:
- Watch the Libero’s Footwork: Next time you’re at a match or watching on BTN+, ignore the ball for three points. Just watch the libero. You’ll see the "game within the game"—the constant shifting of weight and the communication that happens before the serve is even hit.
- Attend a Mid-Week Match: Everyone goes to the Friday night games. Go to a Tuesday or Wednesday night match. You’ll see the raw coaching happen. You’ll hear the instructions from the bench. It’s a masterclass in tactical adjustment.
- Support the NIL Collectives: If you want the Buckeyes to land the next 5-star recruit from Texas, the reality of 2026 is that NIL matters. Groups like THE Foundation help ensure these athletes are compensated for their brand, which keeps the program competitive on the recruiting trail.
- Check the Box Scores for "Points per Swing": Don't just look at kills. Look at hitting percentage. A hitter with 20 kills but 10 errors isn't helping as much as a hitter with 12 kills and 0 errors. Efficiency is the metric that wins Big Ten titles.
The trajectory is pointing up. The energy is there. The coaching is world-class. Now, it's just about execution when the whistle blows.