Whitewater, Wisc. – September 27, 2009 – The Heidelberg University volleyball team continues to position itself among the nation’s elite. Heidelberg has been receiving votes in the national poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association as of late and traveled to Whitewater, Wisc. over the weekend to face some fellow national-caliber foes. The Berg took part in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational II and posted a 2-2 record.
Following the weekend, Heidelberg stands at 15-4 on the year and will resume Ohio Athletic Conference action on Wednesday, Sept. 30 when Marietta College visits Seiberling Gymnasium.
The weekend began on Friday with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-17) setback to no. 7 Carthage College. The Berg rebounded with a sweep (25-15, 25-20, 25-21) of the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. On Saturday, host and no. 12 UW-Whitewater snuck out a 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-13) victory before the Berg concluded play at the invitational with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22) win over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Against Carthage, Heidelberg’s attack game was led by Amanda Atchison (Frankfort, Ohio / Frankfort Adena) who finished with eight kills. Morgan Magers (Green Springs, Ohio / Old Fort) dished out 18 assists and finished a double-double with 14 digs. Leading the defense was Brittany Donelan (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted) with 18 digs and Jackie Reinhart (New Reigel, Ohio / New Riegel) had 15.Marian Bevington (Celina, Ohio / Parkway) led the way at the net with three block assists.
In the win over UW-LaCrosse, Venesse Haase (Miamisburg, Ohio / Miamisburg) came alive at the net, recording 11 kills. She also added three service aces with her jump serve and registered a double-double with 17 digs. Backing Haase on defense was Reinhart and Donelan with 16 and 12 digs, respectively. Haase rounded out her play with four block assists and one solo block. Making it two with double-doubles was Reinhart as she added 10 kills with her 16 digs.
In its hard fought five-set match versus UW-Whitewater, Heidelberg had three players register double-digit kills and Reinhart finished with her second-straight double-double on the weekend, which consisted of 13 kills and 22 digs. Leading the way in kills was Atchison and Jacki Street (Grafton, Ohio / Midview) with 16 apiece. The 16 kills are career-bests for both Atchison and Street. Donelan had a team-best 29 digs and Street finished with five block assists followed by Bevington with four. Magers set up 50 kills in the match and served up three points in service aces.
The weekend concluded with Haase and Atchison tallying 13 and 10 kills, respectively against UW-River Falls. Haase added 17 digs for a double-double, while Atchison controlled the net with three solo blocks and two block assists. Donelan had a team-leading 26 digs and Suzy Street (Grafton, Ohio / Midview) and Reinhart each had two service aces. Magers continued to set up the offense, finishing with 41 assists.