WESTERVILLE, OHIO – The Otterbein women’s volleyball team opened its season by winning four of five matches, including three over the weekend at the Thomas More Tournament in Kentucky.

The Cards began the 2011 campaign with a quick three-set victory at Denison, winning by scores of 25-17, 25-16, 25-15.

Freshman Tabatha Piper and Kendel Kellogg each had six kills in their collegiate debuts, with Piper also dishing out 24 assists.

The team then headed to the Thomas More Tournament on Friday, opening with a four-set victory over Transylvania (Ky.), the 2010 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion. Otterbein then toppled Hiram, the 2010 North Coast Athletic Conference runner-up, in three sets during the evening session.

Junior Kristen Bennett blasted 14 kills and just one error on 28 attempts (.464) against Transylvania while sophomore Liz Palmer came up with 13 kills and a .476 hitting-percentage. Senior libero Lindsey Russell had 32 digs while Piper recorded an impressive 44 assists.

Bennett also led the way against Hiram in a quick nightcap, posting nine kills on 21 attempts.

Day two saw the Cardinals open against defending national-champion and #1 ranked Calvin (Mich.), the same team that bounced Otterbein from last year’s NCAA first round.

Otterbein hung tough, but would eventually fall in four sets by scores of 19-25, 21-25, 25-19, and 19-25.

"We gave them our best shot,” said McDonald. “Even though we lost it was important for the team to realize that we can play with the top team in the country.”

The Cards bounced back to wrap up the trip with a three-set victory over host and 2010 Presidents Athletic Conference champion Thomas More by counts of 25-18, 25-21, and 25-23.

Junior Ally Nagle hit .417 in the win, registering 13 kills and three errors on 24 attempts.

Overall, McDonald was happy to see her team notch three victories over top-level regional opponents to kick off the season.

“I am extremely pleased with the way the team played over the weekend,” McDonald said. “We played consistently in all four matches and had no major letdowns. Earning a second place finish in such a competitive tournament is something that we can build on.”

The Cardinal defense picked up right where it left off last fall, and will prove to be a strong point of the group this season.

“Everyone did their part, but I think our defense really set the tone,” McDonald explained. “We passed the ball and played defense extremely well all weekend. Lindsey Russell, Renee Willke and Emily Caldwell definitely frustrated our opponents and made things easy on our freshman setter and attackers.”

The squad next travels to take part in the Baldwin-Wallace Tournament this coming weekend, opening against Wooster and Buffalo State on Friday evening.