ALLIANCE -- The Heidelberg University Volleyball team shrugged off a slow start and outlasted host Mount Union on Friday. The Student Princes won the five-setter, 13-25, 25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 15-11.

Heidelberg improved to 14-12 overall, 3-2 in conference play. Mount slipped to 9-14, 1-3.  

Ava Devereaux enjoyed a breakout performance, contributing 13 kills with a .360 attack percentage. Sophia Simon led HU with 14 kills, hitting .250. Olivia Miller (24 assists) and Maddie Reed (21 assists) set up the offense. 

Defensively, the back line was anchored by Grace Dohanyos (23 digs). Kailee Rank added 16.  At the net, Simon had a solo block and five block assists.  Gabby Wolfe and Kaitlyn Uffman both were part of four blocks. 

After getting mollywopped in the first set, Heidelberg settled in midway through the second. With her team down 11-6, Devereaux caught fire. Three kills in a six point span helped Heidelberg claw back into the game. A service error set off a 5-1 'Berg run, giving them an 18-15 advantage. Later, Rank hit back-to-back aces and HU led, 21-17. The Purple Raiders answered with four straight points, tying the set. Devereaux ignited a 4-1 run to close the frame. 

In the third set, Heidelberg trailed 20-15, but rallied. A 6-1 swing tied the match at 23 -- a run bookended by 'Berg blocks. Mount had two set points but were unable to clinch. HU won it with three MTU attack errors at the end. 

Mount Union enjoyed several long point sprees in the fourth, forcing the fifth set. 

The battle-tested Student Princes answered the bell in the fifth, taking a 10-5 lead with a 5-0 run. Up 13-7, Heidelberg stalled and allowed the hosts to inch back to within three at 13-10. After a Jason Miller timeout, a service error halted the momentum. In the end, it was an Uffman kill that sealed the critical win for the Tricolor. 

Heidelberg returns to action for a rare Thursday contest at Denison. The match in Granville is scheduled for 7 p.m.