ALLIANCE -- The Heidelberg University volleyball team's 2021 season came to an end with a five-set loss to Mount Union on Tuesday. The upset-minded Student Princes, the fifth seed, held a 2-1 lead over fourth-seeded Mount Union, but the Purple Raiders rallied to win the match -- 23-25, 25-15, 22-25, 25-15, 15-11.
Heidelberg finished the season with a 17-10 record. Mount Union, 21-6, visits top seed Ohio Northern in the semifinals on Thursday.
Maddie Szawranskyj picked up 12 kills and 20 digs on the evening. For her career, the Westerville native has amassed 777 kills, along with 121 service aces (10th in school history)
Liana Petitti added 11 kills while
Lexi Evak tallied nine.
Anamya Truex and
Sadie Estle each added eight kills.
Libero
Sarah Oney recorded 20 digs on the night, bringing her career tally to 1,681 -- good for seventh on Heidelberg's all-time career list.
The first set featured 11 lead changes. The sides stayed within two points of each other until Heidelberg rattled off six straight points that turned a 19-17 deficit into a 23-19 lead -- a run punctuated by an ace by Petitti. Petitti closed the set with a kill.
As close as the first set was, the second set … wasn't. Mount held a comfortable cushion throughout and won by 10.
The Tricolor built up a sizable cushion in the third set, leading by as many as seven at 16-9. The Purple Raiders got to within two at 23-21, but kills by Petitti and Truex sealed the set win.
Looking to stave off elimination, Mount easily won the fourth set to force a fifth set for the third straight time between the two schools.
In the fifth, aces by Estle and Custenborder helped the Student Princes get out to a modest 9-6 advantage. From there, though, Mount closed on a 9-2 run to stun The Berg.
Aside from the COVID-shortened season in the spring, Heidelberg has won at least 17 games in each of the past 18 seasons. HU has lost its last five postseason games.
NOTE FROM HEIDELBERG SPORTS INFORMATION: Wendy Oney, mother of Sarah, has provided our office with countless photos and updates from the road. We are grateful for her kindness and generosity!
