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OSHKOSH, Wisc. – Despite clawing back mightily in three different sets against No. 20-ranked La Verne, the Otterbein volleyball team was forced to settle with a disappointing four-set loss in the opening round of NCAA Division III Championships on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cardinals and Leopards, playing the first match of an eight-team regional hosted by Wisconsin-Oshkosh inside the Kolf Sports Center, traded points and momentum swings in what became a very competitive showdown.

Despite dominating the third set and seeing others right there for the taking, Otterbein would eventually exit the 'Big Dance' by scores of 24-26, 22-25, 25-13, 22-25. The Cards end their campaign at 23-9 overall while La Verne (24-4) advances to the Round of 32.

HOW IT WENT DOWN:

SET 1: The opener saw a few early lead changes and La Verne slightly on top (16-15) approaching some key points. The Leopards captured four of the next six and ultimately held a 24-21 edge, but the Cards didn't go quietly in fighting off three set points. Unfortunately, La Verne regrouped to win the next two.

SET 2: La Verne carried that momentum into the second by opening cushions of 12-7, 15-10 and 19-13 across the midway point. But a scrappy Otterbein team charged back once again, drawing within 20-19 to reassert itself firmly in the mix. The Leopards countered with three of the next four points and found ways to emerge once again.

SET 3: Down but certainly not out, the Cardinals soared back with a dominant third frame to prolong the match. Otterbein opened a quick 11-5 lead before La Verne trimmed that to just 15-12 later on. Unfazed, the Cards punctuated the frame with a lopsided 10-1 spurt and coasted into the fourth.

SET 4: What would end up being the final game encountered ties at 9, 10, 11 and 12 until the Leopards captured six of the next seven points. Otterbein battled back admirably to within 21-10, forcing La Verne to call a timeout. A pair of miscues in the serve game, one coming each way, would allow the opposition to regain a 23-20 edge and hold on down the stretch.  

STAT CHECK:

• Otterbein actually won more total points on the day (93-89) behind that wide third set, but fell short by a combined eight across the other three nail-biters.
   
• La Verne standout Mya Ray, entering the day ranked sixth nationally in kills per set, led all players with 21 to guide her team throughout.
   
• Morgan Hartman, playing her final college match, posted 17 kills and hit a match-high 63 times from the outside. She ends her decorated career ranked third all-time in Otterbein history with 1,475 kills.
   
• Kristen Scherger (8-1-19) hit an efficient .368 around the net while libero Amanda Troyer came up with 25 digs while taking on some absolute ropes from the high-powered La Verne offense.
   
• Senior Madison McCoy had six kills and now ends her career sixth in program history with 262 total blocks.

ALL-REGION:
Hartman and Troyer were both named first team AVCA All-Region on Wednesday night, and are now eligible for All-America consideration.

SENIOR SALUTE:
The Cardinals will say a heartfelt goodbye to their quartet of seniors in Hartman, Anna Cecil, McCoy and Kailey Mishler, who helped the program go a combined 89-24 since arrival. They were part of three OAC regular-season championships, three OAC Tournament titles, three NCAA appearances and a trip to the Sweet 16 as sophomores.