ALLIANCE- While Mount Union tallied a 3-0 victory (25-17, 25-12, 25-18) over the visiting Capital University volleyball team on Tuesday in the first round of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament, both teams walked away victors. 

The Crusaders (20-12) put forth a valiant effort in honor of seniors Emily Heitmeyer (Ottawa, Ohio) and Lauren Gauvreau (Grafton, Ohio).

The Crusaders led 6-5 in the first set before a furious 15-4 Purple Raider run to take the set. Mount Union never trailed and led by as many as 15 points in the second set. Capital played its best in the third set, as kills by sophomores Sanaya El-Naggar (Mason, Ohio) and Tara Luth (Celina, Ohio) tied the score at 9-9. A Heitmeyer spike knotted the score again at 18 points apiece before Mount Union reeled off seven straight points to take the match. 

El-Naggar led Capital with eight kills and 12 digs, while Luth and junior Leanne Schaefer (Verona, Wis.) each recorded six kills. 

"I've been impressed with the team's hard work all year," Capital coach Pam Briggs said. "Their hard work and their dedication has been outstanding. They came up short tonight, but that didn't reflect their hard work in this match." 

Heitmeyer and Gauvreau leave the program just as they entered it, helping lead Capital to a 20-win season for the first time since their freshman campaign. 

"I've really grown as a person during the last four years by being in the program," said Gauvreau, an education major who plans to teach high school social studies along with coaching volleyball. "I loved being a part of this team and getting a chance to be with Emily for the last four years." 

Heitmeyer, an exercise science major, will graduate in December and has already been accepted to graduate school at Kettering University. 

"I've loved being a part of this family, and I attribute all of my success to this program," Heitmeyer said. "This team has been a family of sisters, and we had a blast all year. I'm so glad I was able to experience all of this with Lauren, and I know we'll both have great careers. I couldn't have asked for a better college experience." 

Briggs was equally proud of the effort that her two seniors gave throughout their four years in the program. 

"I'm proud of how much they've given to Capital," she said. "Their positive work ethic and leadership will be remembered by the players next year and for seasons to follow."