WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The No. 18 Otterbein volleyball team opened their home OAC schedule Friday night, welcoming Mount Union to the Rike Center for the first conference match on their home court. The Cardinals took down the Purple Raiders in a gritty five set fight (21-25, 25-13, 18-25, 25-18, 15-7).
Otterbein 3 University of Mount Union 2
During set one, the teams traded points until the Purple Raiders pulled ahead, 20-18. After an Otterbein timeout, a kill from senior
Lexi Scott brought the Cards to 20-19. However, the Cardinals could not stop the visitors, and after a late run from Mount Union's offense, the Cards dropped set one, 25-21.
In set two, the Cardinals quickly bounced back from their first set loss and started out strong against the Purple Raiders. With their largest lead being 23-9, Otterbein led in all categories, hitting an impressive .344 as a team, compared to a .094 from Mount Union. A kill from junior
Emerson Baum secured the set two Cardinal victory, 25-13.
In the third set, the Purple Raiders came out strong and took the lead from the get-go. After the two teams were tied 9-9, a service ace from senior
Elise Adelman put the Cards ahead. The teams then again traded points back and forth until Mount Union claimed the lead, 16-15. From here, the Purple Raiders did not let go of control and did not allow another Cardinal lead. Otterbein dropped set three, 25-18.
Otterbein opened up set four in a strong fashion, grabbing control immediately. A serving run from senior
Emma Steiger put the Cardinals ahead 7-1, and this was enough to light the fire that kept the Otterbein lead throughout the set. A service ace from senior
Makenzie Schellenberger followed by a Mount Union error handed Otterbein the set four win, 25-18.
In the fifth and final set, the Cardinals set the tone early, with help from a boisterous Rike Center crowd. Even after Otterbein forced a Mount Union timeout, it was not enough to stop the Cardinals' offensive arsenal. The Cardinals emerged victorious, taking the fifth set 15-7. This brings Otterbein's record to 13-2 and 2-0 in conference play.
Offensively, Scott led the way with 21 kills, hitting an incredible .333 along the way. Baum was right behind her with 16. Adelman dished out 45 assists along with leading the team with four aces. Senior libero
Ashley Kefauver and Schellenberger headed the defensive side with 15 digs each.
The Cardinals will travel to Richmond, Indiana on Saturday to take on No. 15 Calvin, followed by Earlham College. First serve is set for 3 p.m.
