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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University volleyball team kicked off its season with a 3-1 mark over the weekend, rebounding from a tough opening loss to post three-consecutive victories.

The No. 23-ranked Cardinals encountered a hotly-contested battle with Alma to begin day one, taking a 2-1 lead in the match after posting scores of 25-23, 23-25 and 28-26 to begin the action. The Scots quickly evened the match with a near-dominant fourth frame, winning 25-9 and forcing a winner-take-all fifth set.

Both sides traded points early in the fifth, locking up at 4-4 before Alma found some breathing by opening a 9-6 advantage. Otterbein would not go away quietly, responding to draw even at 9-9, 10-10 and 11-11 down the stretch. The Scots had the final say, ripping off three kills sandwiched around a service ace to win 15-11 and take the match.

Senior Kim Barker led the way offensively for the Cards, posting 13 kills, and just three errors, on 30 attempts to hit .33 for the match. Junior Kasey White gave a solid effort in her season debut, going for eight kills, and just one error, on 18 total attacks (.389). Senior libero Evelyn Carus turned in a new career-high of 25 digs while classmate Kayla Radekin handed out 27 assists.

Both sides combined to commit 34 service errors throughout, but the Scots helped offset their mistakes by adding 14 service aces against an Otterbein back line playing without junior Gracie Staten (illness).

The Cardinals bounced back in Friday's nightcap, turning away SUNY Buffalo State in straight-sets by scores of 25-21, 25-19, 26-24.

Barker hit .364 in the matchup, registering 10 kills on 22 chances and committing just two mishaps. Senior Kendel Kellogg led all players with 14 kills while freshman Marie Thornton contributed nicely with seven kills, and just two errors, over 13 opportunities (.385).

Otterbein carried the momentum into Saturday morning, taking down Kenyon College in straight-set by counts of 27-25, 25-13, 25-17.  The Cards committed 18 service errors, but found some runs behind the consistent serve of junior Kelsie Gessner to ignite a few rallies throughout the contest.

Otterbein clicked offensively, hitting .381 as a unit while forcing the Ladies to hit -.016. Kellogg recorded a match-high 11 kills while Thornton hit .700 with eight finishes, and just one error, on 10 attempts. White and Maddy Shelley combined for 11 kills and no mishaps.

The Cards made it three in a row to end the weekend against a feisty Maryville (Tenn.) team, emerging in four games by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20.

Barker was impressive yet again, ripping off 14 kills, and committing just one error, on 19 attempts to hit a blistering .684. She was later named to the All-Tournament team as a result of her play.

Kellogg contributed a 12-kill performance while Carus was solid in the back with 24 digs. Radekin and fellow setter Lauren Blumberg combined to hand out 47 assists. Otterbein tallied four solo blocks and 10 block assists in limiting the Maryville attack to just a .110 hitting mark.

In addition to Barker, other members of the All-Tournament team included Hannah Guilford (Alma), Katie Best (Case Western), Kelly Leonard (Capital), Meme Winters (Baldwin Wallace), Rachel Kozemko (Maryville), Rachael Thorson (Kenyon) and Jen Cecchitini (Buffalo State).

Otterbein will have the middle of the week off before returning to action Friday evening at the Hanover College Invitational, opening against Centre College (Ky.) at 5:30 p.m.