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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A pesky John Carroll team dealt the nationally--ranked Cardinals some initial adversity Wednesday night in the Rike Center, but host Otterbein quickly gathered itself to storm back and claim victory in four sets.

The Cards, 18th in the newest AVCA poll, took awhile to settle into the match before ultimately prevailing on counts of 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21. Otterbein has now won 10-straight matchups in the series.

JCU entered the night off perhaps its biggest win in quite some time, taking down Ohio Northern (for the first time in 20 years) over the weekend to continue its rise. However, the Blue Streaks wouldn't have enough this time around in falling to 16-7 overall and  3-3 against the league.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• John Carroll found momentum to break open a 13-12 score midway through the initial set, catching steam behind top hitter Cassi Calamunci and a string of kills from the dynamic left-hander. The Streaks opened a 22-13 lead and didn't look back.
   
• Otterbein regrouped nicely during the changing of benches, opening a 9-4 lead and never trailing the remainder of the set. JCU did only trail 17-15 before four-straight points from the home side allowed more breathing room.
   
• A competitive third set was tight throughout, seeing ties at 14-14 and 15-15 before the Cards found some rhythm for a 21-17 cushion. Otterbein clung to a 22-20 edge, but a kill from Morgan Hartman and two attacking errors by the Streaks finished the frame.
   
• Otterbein led 13-11 in the fourth until a 5-0 run created more distance, ultimately pushing the score to match points at 24-16. Despite Madison McCoy's dad (and his buddies in the top row) rising to their feet with cheers, John Carroll admirably fought off five match points to keep things interesting…
   
• But, in the end, a nice cross-court rip from Kennedy Hoffman would seal the deal.

 
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Carlie Craycraft dished out 47 assists to inch closer toward the 4K mark of her career, and will enter her Senior Day with 3,981 to her credit.|
   
• Hartman notched 20+ kills for the third time this season and is also creeping toward a significant milestone, now holding 971 for her time in college.
   
• Otterbein had nine service aces on the night, including multiple points from three different players on the line.
   
• Libero Amanda Troyer had 17 digs while Craycraft (16) and Bridget Oder (10) also contributed in double digits.
   
• Freshman Annie Casper showed nice reactionary skills on two separate occasions, remaining quick on her feet to readjust the baseline iPad (for the always critical team film) after it was knocked off the stand.
   
• Calamunci had a double-double of 18 digs and 15 kills for the Blue Streaks.

 
SATURDAY SLATE:

Otterbein stays at home to finish the week, hosting Baldwin Wallace come Saturday morning as part of Senior Day at 11 a.m. Craycraft, Oder, Amber Greeley and Tasia Lauth will be recognized for their time in the program.