TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University volleyball team battled conference-leading Otterbein University on Friday evening, but dropped both matches.  The Student Princes fell 3-1 in both halves of the highly-competitive doubleheader.. 

Heidelberg slipped to 5-5 while Otterbein improved to 11-1.

Maddie Szawranskyj scored 24 kills on the evening for Heidelberg. Liana Petitti and Anamya Truex tallied 21. 

Heidelberg libero Sarah Oney recorded 48 digs and one ace. 

GAME ONE: OTTERBEIN 3   HEIDELBERG 1      (27-25, 25-13, 23-25, 25-13)

Truex led the Student Princes in kills in game one with 13. Szawraskyj and Petitti both tallied 10 kills in the first match of the evening. Kelsey Custenborder set up for 15 assists and Oney recorded 28 digs. 

After being down early in the set, Heidelberg recovered to tie the game at 17. With the score tied at 24, the Student Princes scored to lead the set into extra points, but the Cardinals would not be denied by the end of set one. Truex recorded six kills on six attempts, and Nicole Thomas scored two aces. Oney had 13 digs and six serving receptions for The 'Berg. 

Otterbein led the second set 18-9 and carried momentum to the end of the set. Szawranskyj recorded three kills for Heidelberg. Oney recorded one ace and Truex scored a block. 

Heidelberg jumped out to a 10-1 lead in set number three. Looking for a sweep of game one, the Cardinals recovered to tie the set at 16. After trailing 18-16, Heidelberg went on a 5-1 run to lead the set 21-19. Despite another surge from Otterbein, Heidelberg held out to win its first set of the evening. Truex and Petitti both scored five kills in the third set and Adrian Barman recorded two aces. 

Otterbein began the fourth set with a 14-4 run. Szawranskyj scored three kills and Petitti recorded two in the final set of game one. 


GAME TWO: OTTERBEIN 3   HEIDELBERG 1    (25-19, 22-25, 26-24, 25-16) 

Szawranskyj scored 14 kills in the second match to lead the Student Princes. Petitti followed with 11 kills as well as two aces. Camryn Hedrick dished out 19 assists. Oney had 20 digs in game two.

Heidelberg started the first set with a 4-0 run. Otterbein recovered and took the lead late in the set. A five-point run from the Cardinals ended the set for Otterbein. 

Leading midway through the second set, the Student Princes scored a 5-0 run to increase their lead heading into the closing points of the set. Otterbein scored two consecutive points late to threaten extra plays but The 'Berg was able to take a set win in game two. 

Heidelberg took a 6-2 lead early in the third set after winning set two. The Cardinals leveled the score with a 4-0 run and took the lead shortly after. The teams traded points until another 6-2 run from The 'Berg gave the home squad a 20-19 lead. Otterbein was on set point, but a kill from Shadra Hamsher continued the set for Heidelberg. 

Otterbein began the fourth set with a 7-3 run and expanded on its lead from there. Szawranskyj scored four kills in the final set. 

UP NEXT:

Heidelberg will face Ohio Northern University in a doubleheader on Tuesday in Ada. The first match is set to begin at 6 p.m.