TIFFIN -- Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2022, the Heidelberg University volleyball team battled to a five-set victory over Adrian College on Tuesday night. Hitting errors proved costly for the Bulldogs as HU won 28-30, 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 15-11.  

Heidelberg improved to 3-1 on the season.  

Liana Petitti had 12 kills and 12 digs in the victory.  She also successfully received all 37 serves she saw. 

Lexi Wachtman also finished in double figures, notching 11 kills.  Sadie Estle added eight and Lexi Evak added seven.  

The first set remained remarkably close throughout its duration, with neither side able to build more than a three-point lead.  As the set progressed, both teams had multiple set point opportunities.  In the end, a 'Berg service error and a Bulldog kill by Amber Morris pushed Adrian over the top at 30-28.  Morris had 14 kills on the day.  

In the second set, freshman Grace Dohanyos entered to serve with her team down 8-7.  Nine serves and five Adrian attack errors later, Dohanyos and The Berg were ahead 14-9. From there, Heidelberg cruised to the 25-19 win.  

Three straight aces by Adrian setter Hailey Farrell put HU in an early hole in the third set.  Later, down 10-7, the Student Princes began their ascent back into the set.  A 9-2 run put the hosts ahead 16-12.  An Adrian timeout halted the Heidelberg momentum and the visitors embarked on an 8-3 run and led 20-19.  Though it went into extra points, two kills by Petitti gave the set to HU.  

Heidelberg had a 16-12 lead in the fourth, but faltered down the stretch. The Bulldogs used a 6-0 run to regain the advantage. Tied at 21, Adrian took the next three points en route to the win.  

The story of the fifth set was Heidelberg's ability to keep their attacks in play and Adrian's struggles to do the same.  The Bulldogs committed five attack errors while Heidelberg was clean in the 15-11 win.  

Defensively, libero Nicole Thomas had 25 digs and 29 receptions.  Dohanyos added 11 digs.  At the net,  Estle had six block assists and Evak had two solos and three assists.  Grace Porter added four assists.  

Setting the offense, as usual, were Julianna Pena and Kelsey Custenborder.  Pena tallied 29 assists and Custenborder had 14.  

Heidelberg won't have much time to savor the victory, as the team will hit the road on Wednesday. The Student Princes visit Defiance College for a 7 p.m. tussle.