Volleyball fights 2nd-seed Heidelberg in OAC Tournament before slipping late

The Muskingum volleyball team took the opening set against Heidelberg in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament on Tuesday evening. However, the Student Princes answered the Muskie challenge and rallied to win the next three sets to notch a 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-23) comeback win. 

Tournament Seeding

• Muskingum entered the OAC Tournament as the seven seed.
• Heidelberg entered the OAC Tournament as the two seed.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (15-14 overall), Heidelberg (22-8)
• Location: Tiffin, Ohio - Seiberling Gymnasium
• Attendance: 348
• Duration: 1:48

Set 1

• Muskingum hammered home 14 kills and posted a .316 hitting percentage to take the opening frame.
• The Muskies jumped out to a 12-3 lead to grab control.
• Muskingum maintained the momentum throughout the remainder of the set to claim the win.

Set 2

• Heidelberg used a 7-1 surge to break an 11-11 tie to take charge of the set.
• The Student Princes recorded 17 kills and a .316 hitting percentage.
• Muskingum mustered nine kills and a .108 hitting percentage.

Set 3

• Muskingum had a 21-17 lead late in the set.
• Heidelberg responded with an 8-0 run to close out the set and take a 2-1 lead.
• The Student Princes used five kills and three Muskie errors to complete the comeback.

Set 4

• Muskingum and Heidelberg battled evenly throughout the set and was tied 14-14.
• Heidelberg took the momentum with an 8-2 surge to take a 22-16 lead.
• The Muskies fought back to get within one before Heidelberg secured the 25-23 win.

Inside The Numbers

• Senior Katie Hunt led the Muskies with 16 kills. She ends her Muskie career ranked fifth all-time in career kills with 1,026.
• Junior Deidre Prince led the defensive effort with 30 digs. Her 553 digs on the season ranks eighth all-time for a year and her 1,682 career digs rank fourth all-time in career digs.
• Junior Chloe Brandewie added 12 kills and three blocks to the Muskie attack.
• Junior Mackenzie O'Shea had five kills and five blocks to aid the Muskies.
• Freshman Rhieannae Cory directed the attack with 27 assists.
• Muskingum ended the outing with 50 kills, 42 assists, 72 digs and 10 blocks.
• Mariah Sullivan led Heidelberg with 19 kills.
• Sarah Parker added 18 kills for the Student Princes.
• Karlie Diruzza directed the Heidelberg attack with 51 assists. 

Up Next

• The loss concluded Muskingum's 2016 season.