COLUMBUS, Ohio – Capital University Volleyball opened its 2020-21 season on Tuesday, March 9 in front of fans from both sides of town. The Crusaders were unable to pull out an opening night win after falling twice in straight sets to rival Otterbein University.

MATCH 1 // 3-0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-18)
Capital came out with intense energy in the first match of the season and battled with the Cardinals through much of the first set. Most notable on the Capital side was the front-line defense, which posted seven blocks (3 solo, 8 assisted) over the course of the match. Sophomore Caleigh Hamby led the way with one solo and three assisted blocks in the first match.
Following a 25-19 defeat in the first set, the energy waned a tad in the second. The Cardinals rolled offensively, hitting 46.4 percent (14-28) with just one error in its 25-12 victory in the second. They closed the books on Capital, 25-18, in set three.

Capital hit 23.4 percent as a team in the first match of the night. They were paced by junior Delanie Nahikian, who finished with eight kills on 24 attempts (.208). She also had two block assists.

On the other end, Anna Donner, Julia Vermillion and Morgan Hartman all finished with 11 kills, each. Both Vermillion and Hartman hit above .300. Vermillion also added two service aces and 1.5 blocks.

MATCH 2 // 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-18)
The Crusaders mixed up the lineup in their second match but it did not pay dividends. The Cardinals rolled to consecutive wins in all three sets by a final count of 25-14, 25-7 and 25-18.

The Cardinals, too, made some lineup alterations but still landed three players with 10 or more kills in the match. Emma Linehan (13), Anna Cecil (11) and Morgan Hartman (10) led the Otterbein offense. Between Linehan and Cecil, they combined for just one error on 38 attempts.

Capital sophomores Braden Mast and Sydney LaPointe ended the match with six kills, each. Capital mustered just three blocks in the nightcap, while Otterbein posted five, combined.

UP NEXT
Capital (0-2) will play its next two opponents on the road, beginning with a doubleheader against Baldwin Wallace University on Friday, March 12. First service from Ursprung Gymnasium will take place at 6 p.m.
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ADDITIONAL INFO
Box score  - Match 1  |  Match 2
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