Volleyball seeks fourth straight OAC Tournament title

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The rematch awaits.

Of the 2024 championship game … Of an Oct. 8 showdown in Westerville … Any way you look at it, the Otterbein University volleyball team will face off against Marietta College in the OAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday afternoon.

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SCOUTING No. 2 OTTERBEIN (23-5, 7-1 OAC): Sophomore middle Emerson Baum has been the driving force all year long, leading the team with 328 kills. Fellow All-OAC selections Lexi Scott and Maddie Mergen have been tremendous, while Olivia Vitaz primarily runs the high-powered offense. On Thursday, Otterbein rebounded after a 25-23 first set loss to knock off Muskingum, 3-1. Baum floored a career-high 26 kills, hitting at a .490 clip.

Grace Ganz and Ashley Kefauver headline a formidable back row, as Emma Steiger and Makenzie Schellenberger have contributed greatly this season. Kefauver's 385 digs leads Otterbein, as Ganz, Schellenberger and Vitaz have all reached over 200 digs this season.

Elise Adelman's versatility has made an impact for the Cardinals – as a setter, as a hitter or from the service line. In the semifinal win over Muskingum, the junior added five kills, seven assists and four aces.

SCOUTING No. 1 MARIETTA (17-7, 7-1 OAC): Marietta is led by OAC Player of the Year in setter Emory Spitler. Spitler's 915 assists rank her second in the league. Outside Jillian Fellers averages 3.53 kills per set, which ties her for the OAC lead with Baum.

In Thursday's semifinal, the Pioneers defeated Ohio Northern, 3-1. Jillian Fellers led the way with 15 kills, as Karly Launder added 14.

In the regular season meeting, Marietta took a 3-1 decision from the Cardinals inside the Rike Center. Otterbein struggled offensively, hitting just .104 for the match, with Marietta recording 28 total blocks. Emerson Baum's 15 kills led the Cardinals, while Olivia Vitaz orchestrated the offense with 28 assists.

Last year, Otterbein went to Marietta for the championship game and won 3-1 over the Pioneers, handing Marietta their first loss of the season. Both teams advanced to the national tournament, with Otterbein receiving the automatic bid and Marietta earning an at-large.

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Players Mentioned

#26 Emerson Baum: MB/OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#16 Grace Ganz: DS; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Ashley Kefauver: DS; 5' 7"; Junior

#6 Maddie Mergen: OPP; 6' 0"; Senior

#21 Makenzie Schellenberger: DS; 5' 9"; Junior

#19 Lexi Scott: OH; 5' 11"; Junior

#2 Emma Steiger: DS; 5' 7"; Junior

#25 Olivia Vitaz: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#17 Elise Adelman: S; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#26 Emerson Baum
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB/OH

#16 Grace Ganz
: 5' 5"; Senior
: DS

#11 Ashley Kefauver
: 5' 7"; Junior
: DS

#6 Maddie Mergen
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OPP

#21 Makenzie Schellenberger
: 5' 9"; Junior
: DS

#19 Lexi Scott
: 5' 11"; Junior
: OH

#2 Emma Steiger
: 5' 7"; Junior
: DS

#25 Olivia Vitaz
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#17 Elise Adelman
: 5' 9"; Junior
: S