Thanks, Catfan, for bringing some clarity. I wondered if our recruiting had fallen off. It seemed we used to get a prep volleyball top 100 recruit 2 out of every 3 years or so. We have 2 currently on team in Jaime and Carley who, I believe, were both ranked in the 90s. As well as she's played, Jaime has never been first team all-mac and Carley has been hurt her entire career, which sadly has ended. Carley was our last top 100 recruit and that was what, 3 yrs ago?

Attendance has fallen off a cliff. Other than comments about the alumni band at OSU, this board is basically moribund. The program and everything surrounding it appear in decline. Sad, indeed.

As a member of the Alumni Band, I am very disappointed to hear this. We (the BAND) will, as much as we can, continue to support this team, and I encourage Bobcat fans to do the same. The players deserve it. Any frustrations with the program should not be taken out on the players, IMO. They're busting their butts for OHIO. That deserves our RESPECT and support.

It's not the REGULAR posters that I'm concerned about...

Just sat there as well and did a double take on our record this year. Definitely not looking good and Schaus could have a few personnel members to replace.

Could we please start another “fire the strength coach” thread! ;-)

Indulge me for a two-part response.

RE: Homecoming: we've been fortunate that over the 13 years the Alumni Varsity Band has been in existence, there haven't been many weekends (especially Homecoming) when football and volleyball are both home. It helps to understand a bit of the 110 "culture;" this is a tight-knit organization, and the friendships forged there last a lifetime. Homecoming is lovingly referred to as "Christmas" by 110 members and alums -- that one time a year when the "family" gets back together. It is treasured by many 110 alums (including those involved in the AVB); all the proof you need is the number who return each year to march in the parade and at halftime. This past Saturday, with football starting at 2:00 and Saturday volleyball games moved up to 6:00 this year, there was a time overlap. By the time football (and the post-game show) was over, there was not time to get over to the Convo and get set up. We knew this ahead of time, which is why we indicated to Athletics that we would not be able to play.

Additionally, we have quite honestly faced some recent challenges with attrition. As some of our younger members get jobs, get married, have kids, and/or move from the area, their responsibilities have increased and thus availability to play is understandably reduced. We have not been able to replace players at the rate we've been losing them. I should note that the majority of our members do not live in the Athens area...while Columbus area is the largest area represented, we also have members from Bryan (NW Ohio), Cincy, Dayton, Portsmouth, and Cleveland.

Decisions not to play are not taken lightly, and are based on numbers of players available, and instrumentation and balance. There's a quality standard we are committed to upholding owing to the history of the band, and which we are not willing to compromise. At times, we are able to "shore-up" our numbers with current 110 members, subject to their schedule and availability.

In summation, we LOVE Ohio Volleyball and will continue to support it as best we can. I would hope fans would not interpret our absence as a lack of support for the team. They're a great group of women that we're proud to be associated with and who represent OUr university well.

This coach had it easy inheriting a strong core and getting into the NCAA's a couple years back. Inability to recruit top talent from other states, inability to develop players the list goes on and on. Catering to the local crowd and winning the MAC ain't gonna cut anymore. Time for a change.

Do or die tonight against No.6 NIU. 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.

Go OHIO

That winning the MAC is good enough which they can’t even do that now

As one who has followed OU volleyball since the early 80s, I'm not aware of anyone locally who is satisfied with just a MAC title. Not sure where you're getting that information.

Disgruntled parent or casual fan does it really matter? The results speak for themselves.

So disgruntled parent it is. Got it.

I'm not sure how long Webb's contract was for, but assume it may have been 5 years. This was year 5. I'd say we might be able to expect an announcement soon that has contract hasn't been renewed...