The Otterbein Volleyball team moved up to 8th in the nation this past weekend after going 4-0 at the Washington and Lee Invitational. This is the first time the team is ranked in the top ten.
On Friday the Cardinals took on Christopher Newport University who is ranked No. 5. After defeating the Captains in four sets, the Cards continued on to win against their next opponent and invitational hosts, the Washington and Lee Generals in three straight sets.
Then Otterbein rallied for a third win on Monday against Meredith College. Setting a team high of 12 kills, Annie Juenger, a senior special education major, helped the Cardinals to a four-set victory. After earning double digit kills in each of the four matches for the weekend, Juenger was named OAC Player of the Week, later that same day. Juenger now leads the OAC with an impressive 97 kills after only eight matches.
Head coach Monica McDonald said this early success is a foundation for the team to build on. “I think we have been more prepared than our opponents which is a testament to our girls and the way they approached the off-season,” said McDonald. “The challenge is to just get a little better every day.”
Otterbein looks to continue their perfect record as the team goes on the road this Friday to the Wittenberg Classic in Springfield, Ohio. The Cards will take on three teams all ranked in the top ten: Hope College, Calvin College and Wittenberg.