WESTERVILLE, Ohio - Mount Union's women's volleyball team defeated Otterbein in the first OAC match of the season. 

The Purple Raiders (16-4, 1-0) won in a five set match 25-17, 25-16, 27-29, 17-25, 15-8.

The Raiders jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead to start the match, winning the first two sets. Otterbein bounced back winning set three and four to force a fifth and final set. 

In the fifth set, Mount Union started off with 10-4 run with kills from several different Raiders. Otterbein never recovered, losing the set and the match 3-2. 

Mount Union was led by sophomore Maria Ellesin (Alliance / Marlington) and junior Madelin DiBease (Perry) with 14 kills each. Freshman Mollie Thomas (Massillon) contributed with 23 assists. Defensively, freshman Alyssa Kasaris (North Royalton) tied her career-high with 30 digs, while senior Bethany Matuska added 4 blocks. 

The Raiders continue play Tuesday, Oct. 4 at with another OAC match up against John Carroll at 7 p.m.