Box Score

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinal volleyball team fell as an upset victim during its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) matchup Saturday inside the Rike Center, dropping a four-set contest with Heidelberg University 20-25, 25-23, 27-29, 20-25.

The loss drops Otterbein from sole possession of first place to a now four-way tie atop the standings with a record of 4-1, and now 21-3 on the year. Meanwhile, Heidelberg advances to 2-3 in the conference and 11-11 for the season.

Heidelberg led the entire way in the first set to sneak out to an early advantage. Otterbein then bounced back in the second set to grab a win, breaking an early 4-4 tie and never trailing the rest of the frame. Heidelberg cut a 17-11 Cardinal lead by winning five of the next six points, but Otterbein continued to played through the storm and held on for the two-point triumph.

The third set was back and forth until the Cards appeared primed for another win as they stood on top, 23-17. Otterbein unfortunately relinquished the advantage, allowing the Student Princes to fight back and steal the set with a win in extra points, 29-27.

Heidelberg closed the door in the fourth, opening a 15-10 edge midway through and then preserving the win down the stretch.

Otterbein was paced by the tandem of senior middle hitter Morgan Lowenkamp and junior outside hitter Hadley Sterett, who blasted 17 and 14 kills respectively. Senior Marie Thorton and junior Alana King-Mendenhall led the Cards with 10 combined blocks.

Junior setter Andrea Miller tossed around 44 assists, her 11th match over the 40-assist mark this season, while libero Ashlyn Leon tallied 22 digs. Olivia Harris added 14 digs of her own to help the defense.

The three-headed monster of Taylor Valentine, Morgan Strenk, and Laura Schrag led Heidelberg with 16, 15, and 10 kills respectively. Setter Anna McNabb finished with 48 assists with libero Rachel Raimondo recording 20 digs.

Otterbein will have two critical away OAC matches next week; Tuesday night at John Carroll and then on Saturday afternoon in Berea against Baldwin Wallace.