Volleyball falls in four sets at Otterbein

By: Ashley Birchmeier

WESTERVILLE — The Ohio Northern volleyball team fell to Otterbein Wednesday evening 26-24, 25-21, 29-31, and 25-20 at Rike Center. 

The Polar Bears fall to 14-8 overall and 2-2 in the OAC, while Otterbein improves to 12-11 overall and 3-1 in the OAC.

Otterbein out hit the Polar Bears in the match recording 68 kills to ONU's 44.

Junior Kaitlann Hogrefe had a team-high 11 kills and nine digs to lead ONU.

Freshman Hannah Davis had 10 kills, sophomore Claire Heitkamp added eight kills, and junior Ellie Gillespie had seven kills and a team-high 23 digs for Ohio Northern.

Northern was able to take the early lead in Set 1 jumping to a quick 6-1 lead. Otterbein, however, was able to battle back and pull within one, 13-12. The remainder of the set was a battle as neither team could pull away. 

After a kill by Davis the Polar Bears were able to lock the score at 24, but the Cardinals would score the next two points to win set 1, 26-24.

Set 2 was back an forth as neither team lead by more then three points. 

After a kill by sophomore Ashley Borchers the set was locked at 18. Otterbein would go on to score 7 of the next ten points to win set two, 25-21.

The Polar Bears battled in Set 3 defeating Otterbein 31-29. The set didn't come easy as the Polar Bears and Cardinals exchanged points for most of the set.

After kills by Hogrefe and Gillespie the Polar Bears were able to to take a one point lead, 30-29. A bad set by Otterbein's Lauren Blumberg secured the Polar Bears set 3 win.

Otterbein was able to score four straight points to jump to a 4-0 lead in set 4. After a series of errors by the Cardinals ONU was able to pull within three, 22-19, but Otterbein would score three of the last four points to win the game. 

Otterbein was led by Kendal Kellogg who had 17 kills.

The Polar Bears are next in action Saturday at 1pm as they host Capital at the ONU Sports Center.