Otterbein volleyball took on John Carroll University Tuesday night at the Rike Center in the first round of OAC Tournament play. Otterbein entered the game with a 27-6 overall record while John Carroll’s overall record stood at 19-10.
The Cardinals won in three sets to improve to 28-6 on the season and advance to the next round of the OAC Tournament to face Mount Union.
Otterbein started with a strong first set as the Cards jumped ahead 15-6, but the Blue Streaks rallied back. A good set by junior marketing and public relations major Tabatha Piper allowed senior special education major Annie Juenger to score the 21st point, leading to a first set win.
John Carroll came out strong the second set as they quickly took a 6-3 lead. Head coach Monica McDonald called a timeout as the Cards trailed the Blue Streaks 8-3. The timeout would prove to be a momentum changer as Otterbein worked their way into the lead. A few calls by the OAC officials left the fans of John Carroll disgruntled. Otterbein would eventually win set two 25-20.
In the third set John Carroll started strong leading Otterbein 9-7. The set would prove to be a nail-biter as the Blue Streaks and Cards went back and forth tying the game. Cardinal fans erupted as Otterbein went up 26-25 but John Carroll would respond right away tying up the game. Otterbein finally won the set, 28-26.
“We got them in three (sets) and it was a great feeling,” said Krystin Estes, a sophomore nursing major. “I think we need to keep thinking forward to Mount Union.”
McDonald said she looks forward to entering the next round of tournament play against Mount Union. “I need to evaluate some film and see if there is something new that we can do to keep them off balance,” she said.
Otterbein will play at Mount Union this Friday at 7 p.m.
