Jackets Have Four-Match Win Streak Snapped

TIFFIN, Ohio – Defiance pushed a talented Heidelberg team to a fourth set before falling by a 25-19, 25-14, 24-26, 25-16 count on Tuesday night. The non-conference road defeat snapped DC's four-match winning streak and was just its second loss in the past seven contests.

Both teams started out hot in a hard-hitting opening set and combined for a blistering .373 hitting percentage with just five errors in 67 swings. Heidelberg was slightly better, collecting 18 kills to Defiance's 12 and the six-point difference proved to be the difference in the 25-19 final score.

Heidelberg's attack was nearly flawless in the second set, as it rattled off 17 kills with no miscues in just 39 chances. The Jackets could not keep pace and fell by a 25-14 margin to go down 2-0 in the match.

Defiance bounced back in the third set and kept the match alive with a 26-24 victory after tallying a match-high 14 kills in the set.

The Jackets could not force a decisive fifth set however, as Heidelberg hit over .380 for the third time in four sets en route to the 25-16 win in the clincher.

Danyel Lipps and Kristen Nicely each recorded double-double performances for DC, with Lipps notching 13 kills and 21 digs and Nicely turning in 12 kills, 12 digs and one block. Michelle Sikora also had a big night with six kills in just 13 swings for a .308 attack percentage.

Kelsey Ferguson and Julie Brunsman teamed for 36 assists, while Sara Porter scooped up 16 digs and Heather Bradshaw ended with 14.

Defiance (5-4) will play for the first time in front of a home crowd on Friday on the opening day of the DC Invitational. Action is slated to begin at 1:00 pm, with DC taking on Dominican at 3:00 pm, before hosting Olivet in the 7:00 pm match. The Jackets will also play a pair of contests on Saturday, including an 11:00 am clash against Olivet and a final contest at either 1:00 pm or 3:00 pm.