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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein was chomping at the bit to get back on the volleyball court Wednesday night after holding a bad taste in its mouth over the weekend, as the Cardinals were blitzed by a pair of unranked opponents last Friday down in Cincinnati.

After patiently waiting/working across the last five days, and dropping seven spots in the AVCA national poll to 18th, the Cards officially bounced back with a four-set victory over a league rival in Muskingum to kickstart Ohio Athletic Conference play.

Otterbein improves to 13-4 this year as a result while Muskingum (11-3) takes its second loss in a row after recently getting swept by Juniata.

HOW IT WENT DOWN:

• Otterbein fell behind early despite growing energy from its home crowd, as the Muskies admirably overcame a 17-14 deficit in the first to culminate the frame on an 11-5 push.
   
• The Cards settled down between sets and flew back with a vengeance, flipping a narrow 9-7 lead into a sizeable 19-10 cushion with a decisive run.
   
• A momentum-shifting sequence in the third would end up proving to be a massive difference. Muskingum led 18-12 and appeared ready to vault back in front on the night… before the Cards came soaring back. Otterbein caught steam behind the serve of freshman Emily Skelley, winning seven-straight points and ultimately closing the set on a lightning 13-3 run.
   
• Otterbein carried that energy over into the fourth behind a rejuvenated home crowd filled with students pounding slices of pizza. Kennedy Hoffman found a groove with multiple kills (nicely placed) and the Cards never trailed. A 10-3 lead was shrunk down to margins of just 16-15 and 19-18, but kills from three different hitters and a service ace via Morgan Hartman helped seal the deal.

BOX SCORE NOTABLES:

• All-American setter Carlie Craycraft was lights out running the show for an offense that hit .300 even, averaging nearly 15 assists per set en route to finishing with a season-best 59. It marks the sixth highest for her career and she also posted 11 digs.
   
• Morgan Hartman joined the double-double party with 22 kills and 18 digs, hitting a ridiculous .432 encompassing all areas of the court.
   
• Hoffmann ripped off 16 kills while Amber Greeley (12-2-29) Madison McCoy (7-1-18) were efficient around the net.
   
• Libero Bridget Oder had 26 digs and was one of four Cardinals to tally multiple service aces.
   
• Khloe Taylor led Muskingum, and all players, with 19 kills while Lexie Huck added another 12. Libero Grace Collins posted 22 digs, impressively keeping a few absolute ropes from Otterbein alive in the middle points.

SERIES HISTORY:

Otterbein is now 14-5 against Muskingum since the 2009 season, and has won four of the past five showdowns in recent memory. Two of those have come in the postseason.

SATURDAY BRUNCH:

The Cards now head across town to play Capital on Saturday morning, looking to retain possession of "The Oar" and continue its league slate with another W. First serve from Bexley is scheduled for 11 a.m.