TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University Volleyball team punctuated a memorable regular season with their most unforgettable victory of the year. One night before Halloween, the zombie-like Student Princes crawled out of the grave to rally from a 0-2 hole, completing a reverse sweep over No. 11 Calvin University. The Berg won, 21-25, 15-25, 25-21, 25-21, 16-14.
Heidelberg ends the regular season with a 22-4 record overall -- their best record since their fantastic run in the 2010s.
"We were short-handed tonight, but I was so incredibly proud of the way we stepped up," said Head Coach
Jason Miller, still dressed as Cruella de Vil -- part of his team's 101 Dalmatians Halloween costume theme. "The way they battled back against such a strong Calvin team says a lot about the kind of girls we have here."
The final set began with a three point Calvin run, but was cut off by errors. The score bounced back-and-forth until it held steady at 13-13. The Knights took the next point on a 'Berg attack error and moved in position for the win. The match-point serve whistled wide, and suddenly, the Student Princes had life.
On the cusp of victory, freshman
Camry Eveningred spiked the ball down off an assist from
Cassandra Bower. Bower returned to the serve. Once back in Heidelberg possession,
Olivia Miller set
Sophia Simon up perfectly to secure the win.
The kill from Simon touched off a celebration for the Student Princes -- one that was equal parts jubilation and exasperation.
To get to the fifth set, The Berg had to win the third and the fourth. It was no easy feat, having just dropped the second by 10 points.
But they did. The same team that had ripped off a 37-set win streak earlier this year got back to basics. Solid serving, consistent hitting, and a big presence at the net yielded the win in the third.
In the fourth set, Calvin held the lead until an 8-0 run that featured an impressive four kills and two blocks from Jackson, giving HU the lead, 15-9. The Knights crawled their way back 15-13, just trailing the Student Princes. An ace from
Maddie Reed and a kill from Tople closed out the fourth set 25-21, with Heidelberg bringing that momentum into the fifth set.
Tople led the attack with a career high 18 kills. Jackson and Simon each added eight.
Leading the setters was Reed, tallying 26 on the night. Miller added 17.
Heidelberg recorded 11 blocks. Jackson dominated the net, tallying nine total blocks, three of which were solo – marking a career best.
Reagan Davis controlled the defense, leading the backline with 23 digs. Bower followed with 13, a career high for the sophomore.
The comeback was sparked by a breakthrough performance from the freshman Eveningred. Getting her first true opportunity within the rotation, Eveningred withstood the trial-by-fire. She passed all 11 serves she received, added seven digs, two kills, two aces, and a block.
The win was only Heidelberg's second in history against the perennial power Calvin, and first since 2010.
HU has secured a first-round bye in next week's six-team conference tournament and will host a semifinal match in Seiberling Gymnasium on Thursday, Nov. 12.
