BLUFFTON – It started off slow, but it ended with a bang.

The Heidelberg University won a pair of matches on Saturday to wrap up the Sommer Center Spiketacular with a perfect 3-0 record. After having to battle from behind to topple host Bluffton in five sets in their opener, the Berg came out on fire in the second match, sweeping Augustana in straight sets.

Jamie Kluding was named to the All-Tournament team following the conclusion of the games in the afternoon.  The senior had a remarkable weekend, racking up 44 kills and 39 digs in her three games.  She also picked up six blocks, five of which coming in the Berg's five-set win over Bluffton.

MATCH 1: Heidelberg 3 Bluffton 2

Just like Friday, the Student Princes had to come from behind for the victory. Heidelberg rallied after dropping the first set, fighting back late for the five-set win.

FIRST SET

It was a back-and-forth start, as Heidelberg got out to an early 6-5 lead. Bluffton then went on a small run and took a 10-7 edge. That lead would hold throughout the set as the Student Princes fell 25-19.

SECOND SET

Trailing 10-6 early in the set, things did not look good for the Berg, but they found a way to turn it around. A 12-2 run put Heidelberg in front 18-12 as they took control.

With that lead holding steady, a kill by Janessa Scott wrapped up the set as Heidelberg pulled away 25-20.

THIRD SET

Thanks to kills by Karlie DiRuzza, Sarah Parker, and Scott, Heidelberg found themselves ahead 9-6 early in the set.

Things got close after that point, as Bluffton rallied to knot up the score at 16. That was where Heidelberg went on a big run, rolling off six straight points to take the 22-16 lead. Holding on at the end, a kill by Laura Schrag capped off the 25-22 set win.

FOURTH SET

Another back-and-forth set came about in the fourth, as the teams traded points. The Berg held a slim 17-16 lead midway through the set, but a small run by Bluffton late sunk the Student Princes 22-25.

FIFTH SET

Heidelberg looked like a team on a mission in the deciding fifth set, as they sprinted out to a commanding 11-2 lead. An ace by Jamie Kluding put the finishing touches on the match as the Berg clinched it with a 15-7 victory in the fifth set.

MATCH 2: Heidelberg 3 Augustana 0

The Student Princes finally found their groove in their final match of the weekend. After dropping the first set in each match of the season to this point, the 'Berg took the first against Augustana and never looked back, sweeping the Vikings in three competitive sets.

FIRST SET

After the teams traded points to open the match, Heidelberg rolled off four straight points thanks to an ace by Megan Mills as well as kills by Mariah Sullivan and Kluding.

After Augustana cut the score to 16-15, the Berg went on another four point run with two kills apiece by Parker and DiRuzza.

The Vikings cut the Student Princes' lead to just one (24-23) late in the set, but a service error ended the run and gave Heidelberg the set one victory.

SECOND SET

Heidelberg opened the second set with a 5-1 lead to take command early. Never trailing in the set, the Berg pulled away late and won 25-20, clinching the set with a kill by Parker.

THIRD SET

Another hot start for the Berg was in store for the third set, as a kill by Kluding gave the Student Princes a 12-5 edge early. Augustana would not go down without a fight, however.

The Vikings battled all the way back and knotted up the score at 15, and once again, the Berg had an answer.

Four consecutive kills by Kluding put the set out of reach and helped Heidelberg pull away for the 25-19 match-clinching win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORES

Kluding was dominant on the attack for Heidelberg on the day, leading the way with a total of 33 kills in the two matches.

Heidelberg had a hitting percentage of .266 in the match against Augustana, their highest of the season thus far.

Blocks played a big role in the Berg's win over Bluffton, as they knocked down 22 attacks at the net.

UP NEXT

Heidelberg will be on the road against next Tuesday, September 9th, when they travel to Hiram College for another non-conference match. That contest is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.