BEREA, Ohio – Continuing their OAC play, the No. 16 Otterbein volleyball team earned a hard-fought five set win against Baldwin Wallace (22-25, 25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 15-1). Winners of eight straight, the Cardinals move to 21-3 on the year and 6-0 in OAC play.
In set one, the Yellow Jackets pulled ahead early and kept the lead for the remainder of the set. With Baldwin Wallace's largest lead being 17-11, the Cardinals could not find their rhythm and following a BW kill, dropped set one 25-22. The Yellow Jackets led in all categories, as well as majorly out swinging the Otterbein offense.
During set two, Otterbein found their groove and took control from the get-go. The Cardinals came out strong offensively, swinging at an impressive .258 clip as a team. Otterbein ultimately secured the second set 25-18, closing it out as
Lexi Scott and
Emerson Baum teamed up for a block, followed by a Yellow Jackets attacking error.
Set three began with the teams trading early points back and forth, until an Otterbein scoring run forced a BW timeout. Despite BW trying to break the run, the Cardinals maintained momentum through the remainder of the third set. After Otterbein forced the Yellow Jackets to take another timeout halfway through the set, the Cardinals still did not allow a BW lead. Otterbein was victorious in set three after a Baldwin Wallace attacking error, 25-19.
In set four, Baldwin Wallace came out hot and led from the beginning. With the Cardinal arsenal not being able to gain control against the hosts, the Yellow Jackets took advantage and did not permit an Otterbein lead. BW maintained control throughout the fourth set, securing a 25-20 victory to take the set.
In the fifth and final set, Otterbein took an early lead, 6-2, until a run from the Yellow Jackets brought the hosts within one at 9-8. A kill from Scott forced the hosting team to take a timeout at 12-9, just three points away from an Otterbein victory. After a nail-biting last few points, the Cardinals reigned victorious, staying undefeated in the conference. Another kill from Scott gifted Otterbein the set five win, 15-10.
Offensively, Scott led with 19 kills, hitting at an incredible .347 clip. Just behind her was Baum with 15 and junior
Chandler Crowell with 14.
Elise Adelman led the way with 52 assists, tying her Otterbein-best, as well as adding two aces and four block assists. A trio of Cardinals finished the night with 17 digs – seniors
Ashley Kefauver,
Makenzie Schellenberger and Adelman.
Otterbein will head down to Marietta on Wednesday, Oct. 28 to continue their conference play and battle the Marietta College Pioneers. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in the rematch of the last two OAC Championship contests.
