Written Oct. 27, 2009 by Ryan Catanese

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – The Otterbein women’s volleyball team, now 22-8 overall and 4-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) earned a four-game upset victory Tuesday evening against Heidelberg in the Rilke Center. The Berg entered the match ranked 17th nationally in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 poll, as well as first in the OAC with an unblemished record of 7-0.

The Lady Cardinals, who fell short in the opening game despite having two games points, responded by winning the next three games in exciting fashion by scores of 25-23, 25-23, and 25-18. 

The Cards opened the fourth and deciding game in strong fashion, scoring the first four points and never looking back.

This victory is the second upset of a top ranked OAC team in three days for the Cardinals, who returned to action after a five game victory against a Capital University squad that had only one previous loss in league play.

With the win, Otterbein not only evens its conference record, but jumps into a fifth-place tie with Marietta.

Heidelberg falls to 24-6 overall and 7-1 in the OAC, leaving them in a first place tie with Mount Union.

The Cardinal attack featured four big hitters on the night.  Freshman middle hitter Ally Nagle totaled 12 kills and hit for a percentage of .345.  Junior outside hitter Rayna Coleman tallied 16 kills; freshman outside hitter Michelle Gernert added 15 more, while sophomore outside hitter Alicia Chafins had 13 kills for Otterbein.

The setting duties were once again split evenly as senior Marinda Roderick totaled 27 assists, while freshman Lydia Wynkoop accumulated 26. 

Sophomore libero Lindsey Russell had another fine outing with 29 digs, while Chafins added 16.

On Saturday, the Cardinals wrap up the regular season against Muskingum (2-5 OAC) in the Rike Center for a Halloween showdown.  The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.