Rochester, N.Y. – September 11, 2009 – The Heidelberg University volleyball team and 10th-year head coach Jason Miller use every match on its schedule as preparation for another trip to the postseason. In order to have a lengthy extension to its season, Heidelberg wants to face top competition every outing and the Golden Flyer Tournament, hosted by Nazareth College, is no exception.
The Berg opened up play at the tournament facing SUNY New Paltz, a 2008 NCAA Elite Eight team, and Fredonia State, a team that was a regional finalist a year ago. Heidelberg topped SUNY New Paltz 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 23-19) and swept Fredonia State (25-15, 25-11, 25-19)
Against New Paltz, in set one, Heidelberg trailed 16-15 and took a time out. Following the timeout, Jackie Reinhart (New Riegel, Ohio / New Riegel) and Amanda Atchison (Frankfort, Ohio / Frankfort Adena) had a block followed by an Atchison kill and a Suzy Street (Grafton, Ohio / Midview) service ace to put Heidelberg in charge and led to an eventual 25-20 win.
Set two favored New Paltz as they scored first and never relinquished its lead en route to a 25-21 win.
Heidelberg regrouped in the third set as Venessa Haase (Miamisburg, Ohio / Miamisburg) and Marian Bevington (Celina, Ohio / Parkway) had a kill and a block, respectively, to set the tone early. New Paltz battled back and took a 23-21 lead late in the set. Heidelberg took a time out to get composed and answered with four-straight kills to win the set 25-23. Haase had three of the Berg’s final four kills.
The match victory was clinched for the Berg following its 25-19 set four win. With the score tied at 6-6, Heidelberg utilized four New Paltz errors during a 7-1 win to take control of the set, 11-6. New Paltz pulled to within three, 19-16, but Heidelberg would not let them any closer.
Leading the way in the match was Haase with a double-double consisting of 11 kills and 20 digs. She also had three service aces. Also finishing with double digit kills was Atchison with 10. Morgan Magers (Green Springs, Ohio / Old Fort) dished out 43 assists and Brittany Donelan (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted) led the defense with 38 digs.
A strong start by Heidelberg, coupled with six early miscues by Fredonia State gave the Berg an early 11-2 lead in set one. Heidelberg utilized 11 different players from its roster and extended its lead to as many as 13 points, 20-7, before posting a 25-15 victory.
Heidelberg continued its strong play, as well as showcased its depth, to post a 25-11 win in set three over Fredonia St. The Berg used an early 10-0 run to take control and never looked back.
In set three versus Fredonia State, Heidelberg rotated its youth in the lineup. In a back and forth battle, the Berg was composed and answered down the stretch. Trailing 15-14, Rebecca Carl (Grove City, Ohio / Grove City) had a kill that ignited an 11-4 run for the Berg to earn a 25-19 set three win. Haase sealed the set win, and match victory, with three-consecutive service aces to end the set.
Jacki Street (Grafton, Ohio / Midview) and Reinhart led the way for the Berg with six kills piece. Haase led the back row with 25 digs, while Bevington and Jacki Street had three and two block assists, respectively.