TIFFIN, Ohio -- It wasn't easy, but the streaks continue for the Heidelberg University Volleyball team. Left for dead late in the second set, the Student Princes rebounded for the win, then held on in the third to complete a 3-0 sweep of visiting Denison University on Tuesday night.
The sweep is Heidelberg's 10th in a row, marking a string of 31 consecutive set wins for the Tricolor -- the longest stretch in school history.
Heidelberg improved to 14-3 overall.
The team came out strong, holding the Big Red to only 15 points in the first set, limiting their hitting percentage to -.121.
The second set was a back-and-forth battle, ending up 26-24. A nearly vertical birthday ball from
Riley Tople brought the energy back to the home team midway through the set. Still, HU trailed late in the set, 24-22. With their hopes dwindling, a hot serving streak from
Reagan Davis righted the ship. HU took the next four points, capped by an attack error by the Big Red.
Berg finished off the night with a 25-22 third set, outlasting the visitors. The Tricolor led, 23-19, but a quick three-point run put Denison within one. An attack error pushed Heidelberg to match point, then won it on a block from Soraya Jackon and
Sophia Simon.
Riley Tople led the attack, tallying 10 kills, and hitting .333.
Emily Miller and
Sophia Simon both added seven at the net.
Controlling direction, setter
Maddie Reed recorded 18 assists on the night.
Olivia Miller contributed 13.
The Student Princes put up a defensive wall in victory, with 16 total block assists.
Sophia Simon,
Soraya Jackson, and
Riley Tople all put up two each.
On the back line,
Reagan Davis led the team in digs with 13.
Cassandra Bower followed with 10.
Heidelberg has won 11 matches in a row for the first time since ripping off a 12-game run in 2015.
The Student Princes will begin conference play on Thursday, Oct. 1st at home against the Wilmington College Quakers. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
