TIFFIN, Ohio—Senior outside hitter Venessa Haase (Miamisburg) notched her fourth double-double of the season to lead the No. 8 Heidelberg University volleyball team past Bluffton University, 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-18), tonight in a non-conference match at Seiberling Gymnasium in Tiffin, Ohio. Haase had a match-high-tying 10 kills and tallied 10 digs.
The win improves the Berg to 19-2 overall and extends its winning streak to 10 consecutive matches, while the Beavers fall to 12-8.
In addition to Haase, senior reigning OAC player of the year Jackie Reinhart (New Riegel) had six kills and a season-high six service aces. Senior outside hitter Melissa Eck (Parma/Valley Forge) also tallied six kills, while sophomore middle hitter Amber Welfle (Norwalk/St. Paul) and sophomore middle hitter Lauren Brown (Cable/Triad) each had five.
Guiding the offense were junior setter Rachel Ferguson (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) with 18 assists and sophomore setter Alexa Frank (Tiffin/Calvert) with 13 helpers.
Defensively, the Berg was led by freshman defensive specialist Tessa Benanzer (Fort Loramie) with 17 digs. Haase notched 10 digs of her own. Junior right side hitter Jacki Street (Grafton/Midview), Welfle and Eck each blocked two attacks.
Overall, 15 student-athletes saw action in tonight’s match.
Tonight’s game was the first fall sporting event of the season broadcast live on the ‘Berg Athletics Network. The ‘Berg Athletics Network will stream live select athletic events over the course of the fall, winter and spring sport seasons. All events will be archived and available to listen to following each event. The ‘Berg Athletics Network is available at www.heidelberg.edu/athletics.
Heidelberg returns to action Sunday, Oct. 9 when it faces Muskingum University in a non-conference match at noon and non-conference opponent Case Western Reserve at 2 p.m. in New Concord, Ohio.