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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A volleyball showdown between Otterbein and Denison going anything less than five sets these days almost feels inappropriate.

For the third time in four meetings, the in-region foes (separated by less than 30 minutes) went down to the wire in yet another winner-take-all frame Wednesday night in the Rike Center. Despite the close calls, Otterbein walked away victorious for the sixth-consecutive time in the competitive series.

THE BACKSTORY:

• Last year, the Cardinals somehow escaped Denison's home court after fighting off match point in the third and then posting a 6-0 run down the home stretch to steal the fifth set… 15-13.
   
• Back in 2017, Otterbein narrowly dropped two frames by scores of 32-30 and 26-24 in nearby Granville before working back to win again.
   
• This marked a matchup of conference favorites, with Denison recently picked atop the NCAC Preseason Poll after claiming the league's regular-season title last fall.

 
THE CURRENT ACT:

• Otterbein found itself in an early hole once again despite leading 21-17 in the opening set. Denison admirably battled back with an 8-1 to steal the frame.
   
• The Cards drew even in the second, catching steam at the midway point (behind the serve of freshman Emily Skelley) to create nice separation.
   
• The middle set remained tight for awhile, but Otterbein led most of the way and stood on top 20-18 entering crucial points. Two kills from reigning OAC Offensive Player of the Week Morgan Hartman, sandwiched around a timely service ace from Bridget Oder, allowed the Cards to finish on a 5-0 stretch.
   
• The fourth set was mostly Denison, which held a 20-13 lead until Otterbein made a wild push. The home side won six-straight points and ultimately trailed just 22-21, but a resilient Denison group countered with three of its own to force a match deadlock.
   
• The shortened race to 15 points saw Otterbein fly out to a 7-2 lead and never feel overly threatened from there. The Big Red got to within 8-6 at one point before Otterbein claimed seven of the next nine points in play.

 
THE STATS:

• Senior Amber Greeley went 17-2-39 (.385) while Hartman joined her with a match-best 17 kills. Hartman also tallied 12 digs for her third double-double in a row.
   
• Senior setter Carlie Craycraft led the operation with 48 assists and just missed a double-double herself with nine digs.
   
• Otterbein rattled off 11 service aces compared to six for Denison.
   
• Maddie Mergen and Kennedy Hoffman both added eight kills for the offense.
   
• Greeley and Madison McCoy were part of a combined nine block assists, while McCoy also notched a huge solo stuff in the decisive frame.
   
• Lucy Anderson had 16 kills to pace Denison, which now stands 2-2 on the season after recently taking down Ohio Northern.  

 
THE WEEKEND:

• Otterbein stays at home Friday as a co-host of the Pam Briggs Fall Classic. The Cards will play Earlham and Thiel before heading across town to Capital for Saturday's slate.