Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO - Otterbein concluded its record setting season Thursday afternoon with a three-set loss to tenth-ranked Calvin (MI) in the opening round of the NCAA Division III women's volleyball tournament.

The Cards came out strong in their ever NCAA apearance, opening a 6-3 lead but only to see Calvin rebound and even the first set at six points apiece.

Both teams appeared sluggish with serve duties early on with each side committing three service errors, and Calvin would later hold a 14-11 advantage.

A Kelly Montgomery kill down the right sideline tried to start an Otterbein rally, but Calvin stood its ground and to take an 18-14 lead and prompt an Otterbein timeout.

The Cards would win the first two points out of its timeout, but the Knights fought back and inched within a point of winning the first set at 24-18.

Otterbein refused to give in by winning the next three points, but a service error would allow Calvin to take set one, 25-21.

The team set Montgomery early in the second set en route to a quick 5-1 lead, and stayed on top at 9-4 after a kill from freshman Annie Juenger.

Otterbein remained ahead until Calvin drew even at 12-12, and kept its surge going to take a 14-12 edge and force McDonald to use a timeout.

The Cards rerouped and managed to tie the set at 17-17, and stayed within striking distance after a thunderous kill from Ally Nagle had the team down just 19-18.

However, Calvin turned on the jets and took set two 25-19.

The Knights kept the pressure on and vaulted to an 11-4 lead in set three before a kill from freshman Liz Palmer haulted the run.

A kill from sophomore Kristen Bennett kept the Cards within six at 13-7, but Calvin once again did its job of stopping any Otterbein momentum by pushing its margin to 17-9.

Otterbein won the next three points and continued to battle down the stretch, but the Knights would ultimately prove to be too much as they took set three 25-14.

Juenger led Otterbein with six kills while Montgomery finished with four. Bennett finished with the team's best hitting percentage at .333.

Wynkoop ended with nine assists while Russell and Juenger each had seven digs.

Click here to see highlights from all of the region's first round matches.