TIFFIN – The Heidelberg University volleyball team opened up their season with crosstown foe Tiffin University on Tuesday. The Student Princes played close with their Division 2 opponents, but were unable to break through as the host Dragons prevailed in straight sets.

FIRST SET

The Berg got off to a hot start and took a 9-2 lead early on after an attack error by the Dragons. A pair of aces by Mariah Sullivan also made up the run that gave the Student Princes the early lead.

That lead slowly dwindled away, as Tiffin rattled off seven of the next eight points to cut the Berg's lead to just one. After a kill by Jamie Kluding, the Dragons took their first lead of the match with five straight points.

After Tiffin led 22-19, Heidelberg battled back with five of the next six points and took a 24-23 lead. The Student Princes were unable to hold onto that lead, however, as Tiffin scored three straight points to take the first set by a score of 26-24.

SECOND SET

Kills by Kluding, Sarah Parker, and Janessa Scott helped Heidelberg out to a 4-1 lead in the second set early on. The host Dragons battled back again though and took a 14-11 lead.

Heidelberg fought back again to take a 20-19 lead, but once again fell late as Tiffin took the set 25-20.

THIRD SET

Unlike the first two, the third set was back-and-forth from the get go as each teams traded points early. Trailing 11-13, Heidelberg scored three straight with a kill from Laura Schrag and two from Kluding to take a 14-13 edge.

The Berg continued to battle but ended up falling by the score of 26-24.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Kluding led the Berg with 14 kills in the match while Parker notched 13.

Karlie Diruzza tallied all 39 assists for Heidelberg in the match while Rachel Raimondo led the defense with 14 digs.

UP NEXT

Heidelberg will make the short trip to Bluffton University over the weekend for the Sommer Center Spiketacular. The Berg's first match of the tournament will be on Friday against Alma at 7:00 p.m.