By: Athletic Communications Student Assistant Joe Meyer '24
WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Baldwin Wallace University women's volleyball team took on No. 18 nationally-ranked Otterbein University for an Ohio Athletic Conference contest inside the Rike Center. The Yellow Jackets (11-11, 2-5 OAC) fell to the Cardinals (19-5, 6-1 OAC) in straight sets, by set scores of 25-9, 25-18, and 25-16.
SUMMARY
Otterbein raced out of the gates, taking a 14-5 lead to start set one. The Cardinals continued to apply the pressure throughout the set, ultimately taking set one by a score of 25-9.
BW battled back to take an early 9-5 lead in the second set. The Cardinals responded with a 9-2 run to take a 14-11 lead, but BW closed the deficit to one (15-14) after a kill by senior Academic All-OAC middle hitter Isa Luciano (Willoughby/South). A block by Luciano and junior setter Olivia Zawadzki (Hilliard/Darby) kept the Yellow Jackets within reach at 17-16, before Otterbein closed out the set (25-18) with an 8-2 scoring run.
After falling behind 10-3 in the third set, back-to-back kills by sophomore outside hitter Sam Rueda (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) brought the Yellow Jackets to within two points (11-9). After the teams traded points, Otterbein outscored the Jackets 10-3 to take a commanding lead in the third set, ultimately closing out set three (25-16) and the match (3-0).
KEY STATS
9 – Freshman libero Jamie Snell (Strongsville) recorded a career-high nine digs
8 - Rueda led the BW attack with eight kills while also notching eight digs
8 - Freshman defensive specialist Paige Contris (Pemberville/Eastwood) added eight digs
15 - Zawadzki dished out 15 assists for the Jackets
Luciano finished with three kills, four digs, and two blocks while sophomore right side hitter Allison Weiner (Westerville/St. Francis DeSales) totaled three kills and two blocks
UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets return to the court this Wednesday, October 26, when they host Ohio Northern University in another OAC contest. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.
