MARIETTA, Ohio -- The short-handed Heidelberg University volleyball team was eliminated in the first round of the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament with a 3-1 setback to host Marietta College.  The Student Princes wrap up the bizarre 2020-21 season with a record of 8-11.  

Marietta won 25-15, 29-27, 20-25, 25-17, and advanced to face top-seed Muskingum on Thursday.  

Lianna Petitti set a career high with a 23-kill performance in the loss.  She attacked at a .333 clip.  

Julianna Pena and Kelsey Custenborder paced the attack with 22 and 17 assists respectively.  

Defensively, Petitti led the way with 26 digs. Nicole Thomas has 22 digs in her first start as libero.  Taylor Gimenez contributed to a team-high five blocks.

The Pioneers waltzed through the first set, but had to rally back from a big hole late in the second.  Heidelberg controlled the play for much of the third set and was able to withstand a late surge from the Pioneers.  The Pioneers proved to be too much for the Student Princes in the fourth set, sealing the victory.  

The 2020-21 season was an up-and-down campaign for Head Coach Jason Miller and the young Student Princes, which had one senior.  Unless COVID-19 changes the plans, The Berg will return to action in the fall.