TIFFIN – In a matchup of the last two remaining unbeaten teams in Ohio Athletic Conference play, the Heidelberg University volleyball team came to play, and in a big way, against 22nd-ranked Ohio Northern. The Student Princes showed their fight by taking a hard-fought first set, their determination in a come-from-behind second set, and their strength by taking a convincing third set.

On a night where the Berg volleyball team honored those who have and are fighting cancer with a pregame ceremony, the Student Princes played inspired volleyball as they took down the Polar Bears in straight sets, 26-24, 28-26, 25-17. Over $1,500 was raised in support of Angie Vanderhoff, who is battling a rare form of cervical cancer.

KEY STATS

The turning point in the match came after Ohio Northern led 16-8 in the second set. From that point on, Heidelberg roared back to take that set 28-26 before pulling away early in a dominant 25-17 third set.

Sarah Parker led Heidelberg with 16 kills in the match with a .333 hitting percentage. Karlie DiRuzza played a big part in those kills, recording 47 assists, which was a season-high for her in 3-set matches.

FIRST SET

Heidelberg (19-6, 6-0 OAC) took an early lead after back-to-back aces by Morgan Strenk made it a 4-1 edge for the Student Princes. Ohio Northern would chip away at that and came back to take a 9-6 lead.

They would continue to battle, as the Berg took a 14-12 lead after a Sarah Parker kill, but once again ONU rallied back for a 19-17 lead later in the set after an attack error for HU.

The Polar Bears held a 24-22 lead late and were going for set point, but the Berg got kills by Janessa Scott and Parker to even things up at 24. Heidelberg continued their run to finish off the set as two consecutive kills by Mariah Sullivan finished off the set 26-24 for the Student Princes.

SECOND SET

After the two teams went toe-to-toe early out to a 5-all tie, ONU (19-5, 5-1 OAC) went on a hot streak, rolling out to a 9-5 advantage. They continued that run as they got out to a 16-8 lead, forcing the Berg to call a timeout.

Heidelberg fought back with five-straight points before the Polar Bears were able to end that streak, still holding a 17-13 lead. That would not stop the momentum, however, as the Student Princes then scored four-straight to knot up the score at 17 after a block by Parker and Sullivan.

The two would remain tied late at 24 and go back-and-forth until kills by Sullivan and Kluding gave the Berg the set 28-26.

THIRD SET

The momentum that Heidelberg gained after a big comeback in the second set was ridden into the third, as they roared out to a 9-2 lead early on. ONU cut into that lead a little bit, but the Student Princes were able to extend the lead back to seven (13-6) after a setting error on the Polar Bears.

The Student Princes did not let up as the set wore on, as they sensed they were nearing the sweep. After ONU scored four-straight late in the set, Heidelberg ended the Polar Bears' chance at a comeback, taking the set 25-17 to complete the sweep.

QUOTES

Heidelberg head coach Jason Miller on his team's performance: "There was a lot of emotion at the beginning of the game, but I thought we came out and just played ... Maybe the pregame ceremony took their minds off the importance of the match, but we were really relaxed and didn't try to do too much."

Miller on the improbable rally in the second set: "It was a huge confidence builder ... For the girls to be able to stay focused and be extraordinarily resilient was great ... At that point, they believed. I told them that you can't underestimate the power of belief."

UP NEXT

Heidelberg will look to stay atop the OAC standing when they host Marietta on Saturday. That match is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. in Seiberling Gymnasium.