WESTERVILLE -- There's no debate -- for the first time in nearly a month, the Heidelberg University volleyball team dropped a match. Otterbein -- a few days removed from hosting the Democratic debate -- snapped The Berg's nine-match winning streak with a 3-1 win, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-19.
With the loss, Heidelberg fell to 20-4, 4-1. Otterbein improved to 18-4, 4-1.
A quartet of Student Princes reached double-figures on the attack.
Olivia Cristian led the way with 13 kills, while
Taylor Valentine added 12.
Jordann Gudorf and
Amy Feczer each added 10 kills.
Anna McNabb had 29 assists and Julianna Pena added 15.
Libero
Sarah Oney tallied 21 digs.
Heidelberg took a 9-5 lead in the first set, then pushed out to a 13-7 advantage. Otterbein scored a point after a timeout, but Heidelberg answered with three more. The Cardinals, down as eight, would rally enough to get to within three at 21-18. The Student Princes, though, held on for the win.
Otterbein jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the second set, but Heidelberg would not roll over. A five-point run would get HU back to within two at 14-12. After Otterbein responded with four in a row, The Berg rallied for five, getting to within one at 18-17. The Student Princes would eventually tie the set at 21 before Otterbein took the next three points to wrangle control of the set. After two HU points, Emily Shuk won the set for the Cards.
In the third set, it was Heidelberg's turn to jump out early. Heidelberg led 7-2 and 10-5 before Otterbein found a rhythm. Repeatedly ripping off chunks of two or three points, Otterbein wormed their way back. Down 18-16, Heidelberg responded with three points out of a timeout. Up 22-21, HU watched as Otterbein took the next four points to win the set.
Steady early in the fourth set, Otterbein built a five-point cushion in the fourth. Heidelberg would not get within three points as the hosts won the match.
Otterbein's Tate Eppard had a stunning 27 kills in the four-set match. Shuk finished with 18.
Heidelberg held an 8-3 edge in blocks.
The Student Princes return to action on Tuesday when they host OAC-leading No. 11 Ohio Northern. The pivotal conference clash will begin at 7 p.m. in Seiberling Gymnasium.
