TIFFIN -- It wasn't pretty, but the Heidelberg University volleyball team scratched out a 3-1 win in the home opener against Hiram College. The Student Prince dropped the first set then took the next three to claim the win. HU improved to 4-1 overall while the Terriers fell to 3-2.

Sarah Parker led the Berg offensively with 16 kills. Mariah Sullivan tallied 14 kills, hitting an impressive .480 in the match.

Junior libero Rachel Raimondo recorded a game-high 16 digs, while Karlie DiRuzza finished the night with 49 assists.

A total of 13 service errors seemed to halt any Heidelberg momentum all evening long.

Hiram took the first set, 25-20, leading most of the way. Seven service errors in the set killed the Student Princes.

At head coach Jason Miller's bequest, the Student Princes came out strong in the second set, building a 10-3 cushion. The closest the Terriers would get was within three as Heidelberg won, 25-21.

The third set was the most closely contested of the night. Neither side was able to string together many points, with the biggest lead being a three-point edge. Tied at 23, back-to-back kills by Sullivan secured the 25-23 win.

The Tricolor played a dominant fourth set, winning 25-14. Parker tallied six kills as HU amassed a 15-6 lead. Miller was able to sub in a few reserve players as the Student Princes maintained a comfortable lead.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

In the fourth set, HU attacked a .314 clip compared to Hiram's -.057. Overall, the Berg finished with a .257 hitting percentage while Hiram ended with a .145 percentage.

QUOTES FROM THE COACH

Head coach Jason Miller on the evening: "I wasn't very pleased with the way we started ... We knew that Hiram is a good team and certainly we knew they were going to come ready to play."

Miller on the play of Sullivan: "I felt Mariah had a real good game and that was good to see."

Miller on moving ahead: "We just have to come in and keep fighting and keep working to improve."

UP NEXT

The Berg travels to Bluffton Sept. 9th for the Sommer Center Spiketacular. They will play host Bluffton University at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by a match with DePauw University at 6 p.m.