FINAL RESULTS

MASON, Ohio – The Otterbein women's tennis team left little doubt in the outcome of the 2022 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament Saturday afternoon, blitzing second-seeded Ohio Northern at the Lindner Center to win the program's first crown in eight years.

The Cardinals, top seed after sweeping through the regular-season schedule, flew past the Polar Bears with a 5-1 final decision to clinch an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Division III Championships. Otterbein now holds an 18-4 overall record while ONU admirably settles with a 19-7 mark.

Otterbein will be making its first national appearance since the spring of 2014, when that group coincidentally also beat Ohio Northern in the title showdown.

"I was so impressed with how composed they played today," said head coach Tyler Stephen, earning his first title at the helm. "This group has felt a little different all season. They have a swagger that you need to win… but also keep things loose and in perspective."

Just as they did in the regular-season matchup, the Cardinals took a 2-1 team advantage after the opening doubles action. Erin Storrer and Emma Henson quickly emerged 8-1 on the top line while Lillia Walter/Madi Mueller dominated by the same margin just below.

Ohio Northern did secure a much-needed point at No. 3 doubles, as the Regan Landis/Katie Curry tandem outlasted Rachelle Moses and Aubrey McMahon, 8-5.

Storrer made quick work of Olivia Kesner at first singles… going 6-0, 6-1 to finish with a perfect 9-0 record against OAC players this season. Henson performed almost as fast with the same counts (albeit flip-flopped) at the third spot against Katie Curry.

The clinching point came on court two, as freshman Lilli Walter also pulled away handily to defeat Regan Landis in yet another 6-0, 6-1 final. Otterbein's top three individuals won by a combined margin of 36-3.

NOTE: Seniors Madi Mueller and Rachelle Moses were leading their matches after first-set victories while Cassady Shough was down, but trailing closely in her second set, on the sixth line.

"We knew we were going to play a good team today," Stephen added. "It's never easy to win one of these, evident by this being our first in eight years. But they handled everything well and stayed focused all weekend. They are becoming a team that, when they walk into a room, you know they are there. I'm excited to keep building and see what they can do next."

The NCAA field will be announced via press release on Monday. Stay tuned to otterbeincardinals.com and all of our social media outlets for more coverage!