BLUFFTON, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University volleyball team moved to 5-0 on the young season after brushing aside Bluffton University on Friday night, 3-0. Heidelberg was playing the hosts on day one of the Bluffton Sommer Center Spiketacular. 

The Berg swept through the match in just over an hour 25-12, 25-20, 25-14. With the loss, Bluffton drops to 1-4 on the year.

Offensively, the Student Princes were led by Olivia Cristian who had seven kills, and Amy Feczer and Taylor Valentine who had six kills apiece. A balanced effort from Anna McNabb and Julianna Peña facilitated the attack. McNabb set up 14 kills, while Peña assisted on 13. 

Defensively, Feczer was credited with four blocks and Mya Morris tallied two put backs. In the back row, Sarah Oney kept up her incredible start to her sophomore season with 22 digs. Alyssa Crusey chipped in with 10 digs as well. Furthermore, Peyton Miller collected four service aces, while Peña added three. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Heidelberg cruised through the first set, breaking open the match behind a trio of service aces by Peyton Miller. With the score 8-7, Miller aced the Beavers twice to force a Bluffton timeout. After an attack error from the hosts, Miller served up another ace to give the Student Princes the momentum they would need to run away with the set. 

After briefly exchanging points, the Berg benefited from kills by Cristian, Valentine, and Morris, sandwiched around an ace by McNabb to extend their lead to 20-10. From there, a series of Bluffton errors and a kill each from Morris and Cristian sealed the 25-12 score. 

The Beavers made life much more difficult for Heidelberg in the second set. After going down 10-5, Bluffton took a 16-15 lead, behind a strong effort of front row play by Remi Bower and Chelsey Taylor. Bower collected three kills and a block, while Taylor chipped in with three kills of her own. 

Facing the brief deficit, the Student Princes stormed back. Buoyed by four Bluffton errors and five kills, including three by Valentine, Heidelberg claimed the second set. 

With the sweep in sight, the Berg increased the pace in the third set. Bluffton worked a early 6-4 lead, but the Heidelberg quickly took over, scoring 12 straight points. The run was largely lead by Feczer. She tallied three kills and back-to-back blocks that created havoc for the Beavers, who also created five errors during the onslaught. 

Bluffton scraped back to within eight, but would be no match for the Student Princes who were looking to close of the match. A thunderous kill by Crusey at 20-12 created a spark to push the team over the edge, eventually leading to Jordann Gudorf ending the match with her third kill of the night. 

FOR THE OPPONENT
Remi Bower led all players with nine kills, while Sarah Heydinger added five of her own. Brooke Kleman tallied 11 digs and Maddie White picked up 12 assists. 

UP NEXT
The Student Princes will return to Bluffton tomorrow for two matches. At noon, Heidelberg will take on Geneva College before facing off against Hanover College at 2 p.m.