WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein volleyball team grabbed its first Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) win of the season Wednesday night, turning back Marietta College in straight sets at nearby Westerville Central High School.

The Cardinals, emerging by scores of 25-18, 25-17, 25-22, were forced to move the match a few minutes up the road as the Rike Center undergoes modifications to host the upcoming democratic debate next week. Otterbein improves to 15-4 overall this season with the victory, and an even 1-1 in league plpay after the five-set loss to Mount Union last Friday.

Otterbein controlled the first two sets against Marietta (11-11, 0-3 OAC) with relative ease, jumping out to a 15-6 lead in the first and never looking back. The Pioneers did finish the frame on a 6-2 run to shrink the final gap.

The Cards delivered more of the same in set two, where they never trailed throughout, despite Marietta staying within striking distance. Otterbein held a 16-9 advantage, then just an 18-15 margin, before kicking into gear and winning eight of the next 10 points.

Marietta threw its biggest bunch in the third frame, which saw the Pioneers stay the course and eventually find themselves ahead 17-16 after a 4-0 rally. That prompted Cardinal head coach Monica Wright to call a timeout as her team soon worked through the mini storm.

The showdown saw ties at 18 and 19, and then one-point Otterbein leads at 20-19, 21-20, 22-21 and 23-22. The Cards ultimately found a pair of consecutive points down the stretch after a service error from the opposition, followed by a match-ending service ace from freshman Anna Donner.

Tate Eppard led all players in the middle by hitting 18-4-34 (.412), matching her career-high in kills from last Friday against Mount Union and also marking the 13th time in double figures this fall.  Emily Shuk and Julia Vermilion notched eight kills each while Donner added seven of her own.

Setter Carlie Craycraft had 40 assists, going over 600 for the season in the process, and also added a pair of leaping kills herself at the net. Libero Ashlyn Leon had 23 digs in the back.

Marietta received a 13-2-26 (.423) line from Sam Ritenour and 28 helpers up front via setter Madiie Nader.

Otterbein will finish out the week on the road, traveling to Berea for a matchup with Baldwin Wallace Saturday at 1 p.m.