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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Make that a dozen dubs.
Despite some difficult stretches Saturday afternoon in the Rike Center, the Otterbein volleyball team ran its winning streak to 12-straight matches by sweeping another opponent. This time, it was visiting Mount Union falling victim by scores of 25-18, 25-22, 27-25.
Otterbein moves to 13-2 overall this season as a result, and now stands a quick 2-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play after also blanking Baldwin Wallace earlier this week.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
- Otterbein led the entire first set, holding a marginal 15-12 lead midway through before a 7-2 run created some breathing room.
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- The Purple Raiders appeared to be in control and ready to even the match, leading the second set 20-15 before Carlie Craycraft got her hands on the ball to serve…. The junior helped Otterbein rip off nine-straight points, notching three aces and keeping Mount Union out of system throughout the run.
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- All in all, the Cardinals finished that second frame on a wild 11-3 run that recaptured all momentum to the home side.
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- The third set nearly featured a role reversal, with Otterbein leading 16-9 until a pesky Mount Union bunch admirably battled back. The Raiders eventually forced ties at 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25… fighting off two match points before a pair of Cardinal kills ended the day.
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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Craycraft, third nationally in assists at the moment, handed out a whopping 47 across three sets while directing the potent offense (.339 team percentage). She also had four service aces, three digs and the match-clinching kill.
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- Morgan Hartman (18-1-36) and Julia Vermilion (17-1-40) were on the opposite side of those sets from Craycraft, both contributing mightily efficient days swinging. Vermilion had a double-double by also securing 11 digs.
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- Emma Linehan hit a clean 6-0-10 in the middle while getting in on a match-high three blocks.
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- Bridget Oder had 16 digs as Otterbein beat Mount Union for the fourth-consecutive time.
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- Max Miller guided a thin coaching staff once again, which was supplemented this time by dedicated alums Dasha Bruyako and Ashlyn Leon.
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UP NEXT:
Otterbein stays at home to begin next week, hosting Marietta come Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
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