TIFFIN, Ohio -- Mount Union's women's volleyball team fell to Ohio Athletic Conference opponent Heidelberg (18-8, 4-3 OAC) in straight sets Saturday afternoon from the Seiberling Gymnasium.

Despite the loss, the Purple Raiders (21-4, 4-3 OAC) were led by freshman right sider Maria Ellesin (Alliance/Marlington) and Madelin DiBease's (Perry/Perry) nine kills a piece.

Four Raiders registered double-digit digs in DiBease, Megan Donegan (Dublin/Dublin Coffman), Carly Stepic (Cleveland/Holy Name) and Allison Baird (North Royalton/North Royalton); DiBease atop of the group with 12.

Senior middle blocker Kyleigh Jackson (Galloway/Westland) was strong at the net with four blocks to lead the team.

Set one, Heidelberg carried a two-point advantage over Mount Union after tying the score on several occasions. After being knotted up at 11-11, the Raiders gained their largest lead of the set at 14-11. Keeping a hold on the Berg, the Raiders were able to lock down their small lead until the 23-20 mark. Heidelberg then came charging back on a 7-2 run, stealing the first set by a score of 27-25.

To start the second, Mount Union was in control, staying a point ahead of Heidelberg. However, the Raiders soon would lose sight of their lead as a result of a 14-4 run by the Student Princes. Trailing 20-11, a service ace by Baird and three straight points gave the Raiders the fuel they needed to try and break down the deficit Heidelberg built. Mount Union's comeback came to a halt at 22-15, as three consecutive errors would allow Heidelberg to win the second set 25-15.

A kill by DiBease got the third set started in the right direction for the Raiders. The Berg would not go down without a fight, going on to score seven unanswered points to take their first lead of the set at 10-3. Jackson served up a quick-hit kill, followed by a block to put points back on the board for the Raiders but would still be behind 10-5. Down 21-8, Mount Union sparked their own run to cut Heidelberg's nearly in half at 21-14 but their comeback was once again stopped, resulting in a 25-16 Heidelberg win. 

Mount Union next returns home for their final two conference games, starting with Baldwin Wallace on Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m.