Tiffin, Ohio – November 3, 2009 – The no. 1 seeded Ohio Athletic Conference Regular Season Champion Heidelberg University volleyball team opened up play in the 2009 OAC Tournament with a 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 25-15) quarterfinal win over no. 8 seeded Muskingum University tonight, Nov. 3, in Seiberling Gymnasium, on the campus of Heidelberg.
The win improved Heidelberg to 26-6 on the year and brings the remainder of the OAC Tournament to Tiffin. As the no. 1 seed, and coupled with a quarterfinal win, the Berg earned the right to host the semifinals. Squaring off on Friday, Nov. 6 at 5:00 p.m. will be no. 2 seed Mount Union College and no. 3 seed Ohio Northern University. At 7:00 p.m. the Berg will take on no. 4 seed Otterbein College. The winners will meet in the championship Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2:00 p.m.
Muskingum made its 24th appearance in the OAC Tournament and finish the year at 11-15.
Aside from Heidelberg’s postseason hopes staying alive, the sweep awarded head coach Jason Miller his 200th head coaching victory. In 10 seasons at the helm, Miller has guided the Berg to an overall record of 200-139. Along the way Heidelberg has made eight-straight appearances in the OAC Tournament, bringing home two runner-up finishes. He has also guided the Berg to its second regular season title, as well as two NCAA berths.
Assisting in the win was a solid defensive presence that kept the Muskingum hitters at bay. For the game, Heidelberg registered eight blocks, led by five blocks assists from Marian Bevington (Celina, Ohio / Parkway) and four from Jacki Street (Grafton, Ohio / Midview). The back row was led by Brittany Donelan (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted) and Venessa Haase (Miamisburg, Ohio / Miamisburg) with 11 digs apiece.
All-American setter Morgan Magers (Green Springs, Ohio / Old Fort) dished out 31 assists. Magers main target was Amanda Atchison (Frankfort, Ohio / Frankfort Adena) who finished with a match-high 11 kills with just one error in 19 attempts for a .526 attack percentage. Street backed Atchison with a nine kills in 15 attempts with no errors for a .600 hitting percentage. Haase added eight kills.