TIFFIN -- For the second straight season, the Heidelberg University volleyball team will advance to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament championship match. The No. 2 seeded Student Princes defeated the No. 3 seeded University of Mount Union in the OAC Tournament semifinals 25-12, 17-25, 25-22, 25-21.

The Berg improves to 23-8 as Mount Union falls to 19-9.

Heidelberg will travel to top-seeded Ohio Northern as they try to win back to back OAC Tournament titles on Saturday. By winning the OAC regular season and advancing to the championship game, the Polar Bears have clinched the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Tricolor will hope for an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament field, which will be announced on Monday at 12:30 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Berg jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first set. Heidelberg swung a .367 clip as MTU attacked at a -.062 percentage. Mount Union could never recover from the early deficit as HU took set one 25-12.

The home team struggled in set two as the Purple Raiders took the set 25-17.

Mount Union tied the set at 19 before the Student Princes scored four straight points for a 23-19 lead. A MTU attack error and a kill from Taylor Arbogast gave the Tricolor the win.

Trailing for a majority of the fourth set, Heidelberg cut the MTU lead to one, forcing the Purple Raiders to call a timeout. After the respite, Megan Mills tied the score with a service ace, and Mariah Sullivan gave HU the lead for good with a kill. Another Arbogast kill sealed the HU victory 25-21.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Senior Sarah Parker recorded a game-high 16 kills and five blocks. Classmate Janessa Scott chipped in with 10 kills.

Setter Karlie DiRuzza dished up 46 assists. Mills and Rachel Raimondo anchored the back row with 14 and 12 digs.

Mills tallied four service aces in the match.

QUOTES FROM THE COACH

Head coach Jason Miller on his team's intensity: "On Tuesday [against Muskingum], we didn't come out with a lot of emotion, so we talked about coming out and getting a big start ... and I think we did that."

Miller on the play of Arbogast: "I thought Taylor did a great job for us in a tough situation ... Coming off the bench and playing well was very important."

Miller on advancing to face Ohio Northern in the finals: "We've played a tough schedule throughout October, so I hope that has prepared for a fight. It is always a good match with Northern ... We'll go in and throw our cards on the table and see how it turns out."

LOOKING AHEAD

In the regular season match on October 11th, ONU defeated the Berg 3-1. No. 23 ONU is 26-3 and has won both of their OAC Tournament matches in three sets. Game time in Ada is slated for 2 p.m.