Volleyball heads to NCAA Regionals, to play Wittenberg on Thursday

Otterbein is making its fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 11th in program history.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – After winning their fourth straight Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament title, the Otterbein University volleyball team will compete in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 11th time in program history. Otterbein will head to the Carnegie Mellon regional and will play the NCAC Champion, Wittenberg, on Thursday.

This is the fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the Cardinals. The eight team regional, hosted by Carnegie Mellon features the host Tartans, Otterbein, Wittenberg, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Saint Mary's (MD), Stevens, Hope and Southern Virginia. Joining Otterbein and Wittenberg on their side of the eight team pod are the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire and Saint Mary's. Otterbein will face off against a familiar foe in Wittenberg, who defeated the Cardinals in a five set thriller back on Oct. 18.

SCOUTING OTTERBEIN (24-5, 7-1 OAC): The Cardinals put together an incredible performance in the OAC Championship match on Saturday, knocking off Marietta 3-1. Senior setter Olivia Vitaz was named the Tournament MVP, where she dished out 77 assists and racked up 23 digs while adding eight kills in two games. Brooke Barb and Emerson Baum joined her on the OAC All-Tournament Team, who each put together tremendous showings in the postseason.

Ashley Kefauver has delivered all season long as the libero, leading the team with 408 digs. Vitaz and Grace Ganz have proven to be solid defenders, joined by juniors Makenzie Schellenberger and Emma Steiger – who can get it done on defense and at the service line.

Baum leads the Otterbein offense with 338 kills. Junior outside Lexi Scott has slammed 295 kills to this point, as Barb and Maddie Mergen have combined for 376 kills. Chandler Crowell is enjoying a breakout season with 168 kills and 84 total blocks. The 84 total blocks is good for the second most on the squad behind Baum's 98.

SCOUTING WITTENBERG (20-7, 8-0 NCAC): The Tigers are on an 11-match winning streak, with their last loss coming Oct. 4 at the hands of Muskingum. Wittenberg rolled through the NCAC Tournament to earn the conference's automatic bid, sweeping Denison and John Carroll.

Wittenberg is led by NCAC Player of the Year, Mary Sulfridge. The sophomore has dished out 907 assists on the season, totaling 216 digs as well. Kaili Worcester's 271 kills pace the Tiger offense, as Claire O'Malley gets it done both on offense (206 kills) and defense (89 total blocks).

The following are the scheduled start times for this weekend's regional rounds with first round play beginning on Thursday.

Thursday, November 20 | NCAA Opening Round (Round of 64)
Match 1: Otterbein (24-5, 7-1 OAC) vs. Wittenberg (20-7, 8-0 NCAC) - 11:30 a.m.
Match 2: UW-Eau Claire (27-4, 6-1 WIAC) vs. Saint Mary's (17-14, 8-2 United East) - 2 p.m.
Match 3: Hope (22-6, 8-0 MIAA) vs. Southern Virginia (23-8, 14-4 USA South) - 4:30 p.m.
Match 4: Stevens (22-9, 6-1 MAC) vs. Carnegie Mellon (24-8, 4-3 UAA) - 7 p.m.

Friday, November 21 | NCAA Regional Semifinals (Round of 32)
Match 5: Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2 - 4:30 p.m.
Match 6: Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4 - 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 22 | NCAA Regional Final (Round of 16)
Match 7: Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6 - 5 p.m.

The winner from the regional will advance to the Championship site at the Shirk Center Arena in Bloomington, Illinois Dec. 3-6.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Brooke Barb: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

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

#24 Chandler Crowell: MB; 5' 10"; 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

Players Mentioned

#10 Brooke Barb
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

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

#24 Chandler Crowell
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: MB

#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