Tiffin, Ohio – November 2, 2010 – The Heidelberg University volleyball team advanced to the Ohio Athletic Conference semifinals for the fourth straight year after a sweep of Muskingum University in a quarterfinal match in Seiberling Gymnasium. The match began with a 25-9 Heidelberg win in set one, followed by 25-14 and 25-13 wins to sweep the match. Heidelberg is the no. 1 seed of the eight-team tournament, while Muskingum was seeded eighth.
For the second time in school history, Heidelberg reached the 30-win plateau, with an overall record of 30-5. Muskingum closes out its season at 11-19 and have been knocked out of the tournament by the Berg in each of the last four years.
Heidelberg ended the match with 41 kills and a .347 attack percentage. Sophomore Marian Bevington (Celina, Ohio / Parkway) led the way with 15 kills and two blocks. Backing her were OAC Player of the Week Amber Welfle (Norwalk, Ohio / St. Paul) and Venessa Haase (Miamisburg, Ohio / Miamisburg) with six kills apiece. Also adding depth were Melissa Eck (Parma, Ohio / Valley Forge) and Jacki Street (Grafton, Ohio / Midview) with five.
The setter duo of Rachel Ferguson (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) and Alexa Frank (Tiffin, Ohio / Calvert) ended with 19 and 17 assists, respectively.
The Student Princes served up a tough match with 12 aces, seven of which were in the first set. Haase led the team with five aces, backed by Jackie Reinhart (New Riegel, Ohio / New Riegel) with three and Brittany Donelan (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted) with two.
Leading the defense was Donelan with 14 digs, followed by Haase and Reinhart with 10 apiece.
Heidelberg will host the final four beginning Friday, Nov. 5. The Berg is set to play no. 4 seed the University of Mount Union at 7:00 p.m., following the 5:00 p.m. match of no. 2 seed Otterbein University and no. 3 seeded Ohio Northern University. The championship will be Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2:00 p.m.