ALMA, Mich. – The Heidelberg University volleyball team opened up their weekend trip to Michigan on Friday, splitting a pair of matches. The Student Princes dropped their opener in straight sets to 5th-ranked Calvin before they rebounded to knock off host Alma in four sets. A career-high 22 kills by Jamie Kluding as well as 20 kills by Sarah Parker helped lead the Berg to the victory over the Scots.

MATCH 1: #5 Calvin 3 Heidelberg 0

Calvin was able to jump out to a quick 14-5 lead, putting the Student Princes in a big hold. Heidelberg had some fight in them, however, as they rattled off five straight points to cut the deficit to just four. That would be all the closer the Berg would get as the Knights pulled away late for the 25-16 first set.

The second set saw the two teams battle back and forth to open play, as an ace by Kluding knotted the score at seven. Calvin then found a little breathing room as they opened up a four-point advantage that they would not relinquish the remainder of the set, going on to take it 25-18.

After dropping the first two sets, the Berg struggled mightily in the third. Calvin roared out to a 6-0 lead and the Student Princes were never able to fight back, falling 25-10. Heidelberg had more attack errors than kills in the set and had a hitting percentage of -.045, their lowest of the match.

Parker led the Berg in the loss with seven kills and a hitting percentage of .357.

MATCH 2: Heidelberg 3 Alma 1

Heidelberg battled early on in the first set with Alma, as the score remained tied at six early on. Three kills by the Berg and an ace opened up a 10-6 lead for the Student Princes as they gained control. They were able to maintain a small lead until a six point run, capped off by an ace from Kluding, brought it to set point with Heidelberg leading 24-16. They would concede a couple of points before taking the set 25-18.

The second set proved to be a tough contest on both sides, as they went back-and-forth early. Alma was able to fight their way out to a 16-13 lead midway through the set, but Heidelberg fought right back and tied things up at 16 after three straight kills by Kluding. The Scots were able to get back out to a 20-17 lead, but once again, the Student Princes responded and took a 23-22 lead late in the set. That lead would not hold up though, as Alma took the last three points to take the set 25-23 to even the match.

Another close set was in store for the third. Heidelberg was able to build a 19-14 lead, but Alma would not go down easily. The Scots battled back and even took a 26-25 lead late, but kills by Parker, Kluding, and Mikaela Weldy wrapped up the 28-26 set win for the Berg.

The two teams continued to look evenly matched in the final set, as there turned out to be some drama late. Alma led much of the set, and even built a 20-13 lead as they looked to force a fifth set. Heidelberg would not allow that to happen, as they rattled off seven of the next eight points to get back in it. With the score tied at 24 late, an attack error by the Scots and a kill by Kluding wrapped up the match 26-24 in favor of the Berg.

Kluding and Parker were nearly unstoppable in the match, as they each reached the 20-kill mark. Kluding led the way with her new career-high 22 kills and just one attack error while Parker had 20 kills with just two errors.

Karlie DiRuzza helped lead the offense with 48 assists while Rachel Raimondo had a solid defensive game with 25 digs.

UP NEXT

Heidelberg will have a pair of matches on Saturday, as they travel to Hope College. They will open their day at 1:00 p.m. against Kalamazoo before taking on 14th-ranked Hope at 3:00 p.m.