University Heights, Ohio – October 19, 2010 – Ten service aces and three players with double digit kills paced the Heidelberg University volleyball team in a sweep of host John Carroll tonight in University Heights, Ohio.
In set one, Heidelberg held a slim 3-2 advantage before going on a 22-6 run to post a 25-8 win. Set two saw JCU bounce back and trailed the Berg 19-18 late in the set. Down the stretch the Berg registered five kills and took advantage of a JCU serving error to post a 25-23 victory. JCU scored the first three points in set three, but the Berg added five straight of its own to take the lead for good en route to a 25-20 win and match sweep.
The win increased Heidelberg’s first place Ohio Athletic Conference record to 7-0. The victory marked the eighth win in a row for the Berg who stands at 25-3 overall. The Blue Streaks fell to 15-11 and 3-3.
Heidelberg has two league matches remaining on its slate for 2010 and is in search of the program’s third, second straight, regular season title. Also on the line is a spot in the OAC Tournament, which is granted to the top-eight finishers, with the top-four earning a quarterfinal home match.
Leading the offense was the trio of Jackie Reinhart (New Reigel, Ohio / New Reigel), Marian Bevington (Celina, Ohio / Parkway) and Venessa Haase (Miamisburg, Ohio / Miamisburg). Reinhart exploded for 11 kills in 18 attempts with no errors for a .611 hitting percentage. Also adding 11 kills was Bevington, while Haase registered 10.
Setting up the hitters was Rachel Ferguson (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) with 32 assists. In the end, Heidelberg had 45 of its 49 kills assisted.
Adding to the scoring was Amber Welfle (Norwalk, Ohio / St. Paul). Of Heidelberg’s 10 service aces, Welfle served up five, to go along with nine kills. Adding three aces was Haase.
Defensively, All-American Brittany Donelan (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted) led the way with 15 digs. She currently has amassed 2,467 digs over her four-year career and now is one dig shy of tying the Heidelberg career record.
Reinhart provided depth in the back row with 12 digs to post a double-double in the win.