Openers Anaru Kitchen and Camden Hawkins have led a bold fightback for Otago.
But the Volts still have a long way to go if they are going to register a surprise win against Northern Districts at Bay Oval.
The home team set an unlikely victory target of 421, having dominated most of the match.
But that is the beauty with cricket. Even the unlikely can quickly become more possible.
Kitchen and Hawkins put on a century stand for the first wicket to help their side reach 186 for two at stumps on day three.
The Volts require a further 235 runs to win, which is still a distant target.
After the start the Volts made to the match, yesterday's effort with the bat represents a solid improvement.
Hawkins is unbeaten on 76, and Hamish Rutherford is well-set on 28.
Northern Districts resumed on 119 for one and with a chunky lead of 275.
The home team went after the bowling in the hope of rattling on some quick runs.
That approach saw a flurry of wickets. Henry Cooper (85) and Joe Carter (54) will want their shots back; Jacob Duffy got a couple of gift wickets there.
The slog was on, and Colin De Grandhomme is always the key man in a scenario like that.
He swatted Michael Rae for three consecutive sixes — all to the same part of the ground.
The fourth attempt ended in the keeper’s gloves, much to the relief of Rae. De Grandhomme departed for 23 from nine balls.
Northern Districts declared at 264 for seven, setting Otago a monster total.
That total seemed even larger considering the Volts’ top order has been in dismal form. The smart money was on another collapse.
Northern Districts boast an all-star bowling cast, after all.
But Kitchen arrived at the crease at his mercurial best. He took the attack to Neil Wagner. He took the attack to Tim Southee. And he really took the attack to De Grandhomme.
That is the New Zealand test attack he flayed for a series of boundaries.
The dashing right-hander raced through to 50, and some of that confidence started to rub off on Hawkins.
The pair put on 109 in a shade under 30 overs.
Kitchen eventually played one shot too many, though, and was bowled for 63 by Ish Sodhi while attempting a reverse sweep.
Mitchell Renwick missed out, but Rutherford has got set and he shapes as a key wicket for Northern Districts.
■ At Hagley Oval, Canterbury has muscled its way into a commanding position.
Wellington is 220 for six in its second innings and needs another 75 runs to make its opponent bat again. Devon Conway top-scored with 94 but Will Williams has four for 48.
■ Central Districts will need a big effort from the tail if it is going to upset Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval. The Stags are 210 for eight and need a further 77 runs to win.
Doug Bracewell is 65 not out, while Auckland's Sean Solia has three for 38.
