ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Otterbein University volleyball team opened Ohio Athletic Conference play on the road Friday night with a convincing sweep of Mount Union. The Cardinals steadily controlled each frame to walk away with the 3-0 victory by scores of 25-18, 25-21, and 25-12.

The win pushes Otterbein to 15-1 on the season and 1-0 in league play.

Off to a strong start in the opening set, the Cardinals quickly jumped out to a 5-1 advantage. Senior Maddie Mergen and sophomore Emerson Baum supplied early kills, while Baum also added a solo block during the surge. Junior Makenzie Schellenberger helped keep the momentum with a service run, and Baum later tacked on two more aces to push the lead to 12-4. Mount Union managed to cut the deficit to 21-18, but Otterbein responded behind a timely kill from sophomore Chandler Crowell. Junior Lexi Scott then delivered three late kills, including the final two swings, to lock up the first set 25-18.

The second frame stayed close early before Otterbein created separation midway through. With the score tied at 10-10, a block from Mergen and Baum followed by a service ace from senior Annie Casper put the Cardinals in front 13-10. Later kills from Mergen, Crowell, and senior Brooke Barb widened the gap to 22-17. Barb added another kill to set up set point, and Baum sealed the frame on the right side as Otterbein claimed the 25-21 win.

The third set belonged entirely to the Cardinals, who raced out to a 4-0 lead thanks to a kill from Mergen, a block assist by Mergen and Baum, an ace from Casper, and a Baum finish at the net. Otterbein never looked back, extending the margin behind steady serving and balanced offense. Barb and Scott each contributed kills to keep the Cardinals rolling, while Baum and Vitaz teamed up for a block to make it 19-10. Vitaz later stuffed a solo block to reach set point, then served up the final ball that led to a Mount Union error, ending the night with a 25-12 decision.

Scott paced the attack with 11 kills, followed by Baum with nine and Barb at eight. Vitaz steered the offense with 29 assists, while also adding three blocks. Baum anchored the defense at the net with six total blocks and finished with a match-high 16 points.

As a team, Otterbein tallied 42 kills, 10 service aces, and 9 total blocks while holding Mount Union to 27 kills, 2 aces, and 4 blocks.

The Cardinals will return home to continue OAC play on Wednesday, October 8, hosting Marietta inside the Rike Center at 7 p.m.