TIFFIN -- Led by Sarah Parker and Mariah Sullivan's 12 kills each, the Heidelberg University volleyball team defeated John Carroll University, 3-0, to remain unbeaten in OAC play. Heidelberg was dominant throughout the match, winning 25-17, 25-20, 25-16.

The Student Princes improve to 12-6, 3-0 OAC as JCU falls to 11-9, 1-1 OAC.

After the teams felt each other out in the early going, Heidelberg pushed the score from 6-6 to 10-6. From there, Heidelberg would maintain a comfortable cushion en route to the win.

The Blue Streaks had the edge into the middle part of the second set. Down 16-13, four straight kills by Heidelberg forced JCU into a timeout. Later, with the set tied at 20, Heidelberg would go on to take the final five points, capped by a Janessa Scott kill.

Sullivan helped HU charge out to a 4-0 lead in the final set with two kills. Having led by as many as eight, HU was forced into a timeout when JCU rallied to get within three at 19-16. The Tricolor responded by taking the next six points to win the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Sullivan attacked at a .429 clip, with no errors in 28 swings.

Karlie DiRuzza tallied 43 sets -- surpassing the 2,000 assist plateau. She is now one of five setters in Heidelberg history to accomplish the feat.

In the second set, Parker tallied her fourth kill -- pushing her career total to more than 1,500 kills. She is only the second player in school history to reach the milestone.

Rachel Raimondo contributed 31 digs in the winning effort. Megan Mills chipped in with 14 digs.

Outside hitters Janessa Scott and Morgan Strenk each tallied eight kills.

As a team, the Student Princes attacked at a .295 clip and held JCU to .115. The Blue Streaks had 23 hitting errors.

QUOTES FROM THE COACH

Head coach Jason Miller on the match: "I was pleased with our hitting percentage .. We did a real good job of keeping the ball on the floor and not making hitting errors."

Miller on the play of Sullivan: "I thought Mariah had one heck of a game ... There was a point in that third set that it might have been some of her best volleyball."

Miller on starting conference action 3-0: "We know we have a big task in front of us on Saturday ... We just have to stay focused."

UP NEXT

The Student Princes host Mount Union on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.