WESTERVILLE, OHIO - The Otterbein women's volleyball team moved to 10-3 this past week by winning three of four matches, including both at the Wooster Classic. Sophomore middle hitter Ally Nagle earned home OAC "Player of the Week" honors for her efforts.
The team suffered a setback to begin the week, falling in three straight games at Mount Vernon Nazarene (17-2) by totals of 25-14, 25-17, and 25-12.
Otterbein regrouped and returned home to grab a three-game victory over Columbus State, one of the top junior college programs in the country, on Friday evening by scores of 25-10, 25-17, and 25-20.
Ally Nagle notched 11 kills (with just one error) on 16 attempts while Rayna Coleman nailed eight kills (with no errors) on 14 attempts.
The Cards then turned their focus to the Wooster Classic where it opened with a four-game victory over Westminster (PA) by marks of 25-12, 20-25, 25-21, and 25-15.
Lindsey Russell and Renee Willke combined for 36 digs while Nagle, Russell, Kelly Montgomery, and Annie Juenger all registered double-digit kills.
Liz Palmer also turned in a solid effort against Westminster, hitting 6 for 13 in addition to blocking eight shots.
The squad concluded its week with a four-game win over Hiram at Wooster Saturday afternoon, winning by scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-19, and 25-17.
Setters Lizzy Flynn and Stephanie Buckwald dished out 23 and 22 assists, respectively, while Russell had 29 digs. Nagle, Coleman, Juenger, and Montgomery each recorded double-digit kills for the second-straight match.
Sophomore Stephanie Buckwald, filling in for usual starter Lydia Wynkoop, performed impressively over the weekend with 64 assists, 26 digs, and five service aces in three matches.
Nagle finished the week with 42 kills and a hitting percentage of .479, and also contributed 17 blocks, 11 digs, and eight assists. She was named the conference "Player of the Week."
Otterbein travels to Oberlin Tuesday evening before returning home for its own Otterbein tri-match this coming weekend. The team will open its conference slate at 1 p.m. Saturday with a crucial contest vs. Heidelberg, and will then turn its attention to 2009 NCAA qualifier Thomas More (KY) at 5 p.m.
