UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- The Heidelberg University volleyball team suffered stunning five-set setback on Tuesday, falling at John Carroll -- 25-22, 25-18, 14-25, 19-25, 17-15. After dropping the first two sets, the Student Princes rallied to force the fifth set.  There, Heidelberg had two opportunities to close out the match, but were unable to do so.  

HU dropped to 21-6 overall, 5-3 in the OAC.  JCU improved to 18-10, 2-6.  

\Taylor Valentine led Heidelberg with 16 kills.  Amy Feczer had 13 kills on 20 swings, while Olivia Cristian tallied 10 kills.  Anna McNabb dished up 29 assists and Julianna Pena added 24.  
Defensively, four Student Princes reached double figures in digs, led by 19 from Valentine.  Sarah Oney had 15, McNabb had 14 and Pena had 13.  Feczer contributed a total of seven blocks.  

The loss to JCU was The Berg's first since 2014.  

In the deciding set, Heidelberg jumped out to a 5-1 lead and later led 8-4.  There, the Blue Streaks reeled off four straight points to tie the set.  Kills by Cristian and Feczer gave the Tricolor a 12-10 lead, prompting a timeout.  Consecutive kills by Cassi Calamunci tied the game at 13.  A powerful kill by Feczer pushed JCU to the brink.  
In desperate need of a win to stay in the hunt for the OAC tournament, the Blue Streaks turned again to Calamunci -- who delivered a kill that tied the match.  Feczer responded with another kill, giving HU a 15-14 lead.  Carleen Ellerbruch scored a point, tying the match at 15.  On the next point, Mya Morris sent an attack that went deep.  The referees, who originally said the JCU defenders had tipped the ball, reversed their decision, giving the point to the hosts.  Brooke Hjerpe closed the match with a kill.  

Heidelberg closes the regular season on Saturday at home -- a day on which the program will recognize its five seniors -- Jordann Gudorf, Valentine, McNabb, Alyssa Crusey and Morris.

At the 1 p.m. match, a lot will be on the line for both Heidelberg and visiting Muskingum (24-2, 7-1).  A 'Berg victory all-but guarantees a home playoff game next Tuesday.  Even with a loss, HU could still host if Mount Union falls at Ohio Northern.   A Muskie win gives them at least a share of the OAC crown.