HANOVER, Ind. – The Trine University women's volleyball team gave the undefeated #19 Otterbein Cardinals all they could handle for two sets but ultimately came up short in a three set decision on day one of the Hanover Invitational. Emmaline Leatherman led the Thunder with nine kills and the Thunder defense limited the potent Cardinals attack to just a .198 hitting percentage.
 
Otterbein took a commanding 10-3 lead early in the first set, Trine forced a bevy of attack errors including an Addyson Kuzma block. Trine got a kill from Leatherman and Jordan Budzinski got her first of three aces on the night to pull the Thunder to a 16-14 deficit. Elli Baker blocked a Cardinal attack and Leatherman notched another kill to bring Trine within 23-21 before Otterbein claimed the set.
 
Set was much more balanced, neither team led by more than three. Otterbein led early in the set but the Thunder rallied to a 15-12 lead behind kills from Leatherman and the second and third aces of the night for Budzinski. The Cardinals would quickly turn the tide with a 5-0 run to take a two point lead. Trine erased the lead twice and tied the set at 17 and 21. Otterbein again pulled away for the set win.
 
Trine opened a 5-3 lead in set three but the ranked Cardinals flexed their muscle with a 12-1 run to put the set in hand and take the match win.
 
Trine will battle the host Panthers at 11 a.m. tomorrow before closing the tournament with a match up against Blackburn.