Granville, Ohio- Following a thrilling victory at home, the Denison volleyball team returned to Livingston Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup versus the Heidelberg Student Princes. Additionally, the Big Red celebrated "Dig Pink" night, dedicating the match to breast cancer awareness and research. This match marks the second matchup between the two squads, as the Big Red topped the Student Princes in September in a 3-2 decision. Flipping the script from the previous match, Heidelberg downed the Big Red in a thrilling 3-2 decision

Up Next: Denison will be back in Livingston Gymnasium on Saturday to celebrate Senior Day against the Fighting Scots of Wooster. 

Match 1 (Denison 2, Heidelberg 3) (22-25, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 16-18)

Looking to notch a second win on the week, the Big Red took on the Heidelberg Student Princes for the second time this season. 

The start to the match mirrored the September duel of the two teams. Heidelberg jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a 25-22 first set victory. The Big Red trailed by as much as seven, but were able to get the set back within striking distance. 

In the second set, the Big Red were able to carry over the late momentum from the previous set. Both teams battled to 10 all after a back and forth fight to start the set. An ace from Ryan Kotalik, paired with kills from Maeve Perry and Kate Sicklick, tied the set up at 23. However, Heidelberg was able to secure the final two points to take a 2-0 lead, following suit with the September matchup.

Facing a sweep, the Big Red put on an electrifying comeback performance in the third set. Finding themselves down 19-16, the Big Red subbed in sophomore Devon Moore. Moore would go on to serve nine straight times to bring Denison their first set win. Moore recorded a kill and four service aces while Claire Hamilton added a kill.

In the fourth set, the Big Red came out on fire. With both teams knotted at five points, Denison would go on a dominant run, paving the way for a 19-11 lead. Heidelberg would go on to snuff the flame and battle back to tie up the set at 23. The Student Princes were able to record the next point, pushing the Big Red to the breaking point. However, Denison would respond with three straight points to claim the set. Hamilton and Moore recorded the final kills to send the match into a fifth set. 

The fifth and final set was nothing short of miraculous. Both teams would trade leads, pushing the match point past the 15 point line. Ultimately, the Student Princes would claim victory, evening the season series at 1-1. 

Hamilton and Perry led the kill column with 19 and 12, respectively. Alice Kempf notched a riveting 37 assists. Sadie Habeeb tallied 31 digs in the loss.