The Capital University volleyball team continued its strong play against fierce Ohio Athletic Conference competition Wednesday, but was knocked off at Heidelberg 25-19, 22-25, 25-14, 25-20 in Tiffin, Ohio.

After leveling the match at one set each, the Crusaders (12-11 overall, 0-3 OAC) dropped the final two frames en route to the road loss. It was the team's second consecutive four-set setback in league play.

Freshman outside hitter Courtney McCracken (Newark, Ohio) led the offense with 12 kills and a .385 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Hanna Ewart (Wichita, Kan.) was close behind with 11 kills, while freshman middle hitter Mona Ratliff (South Charleston, Ohio) totaled five kills and a team-best three blocks.

Sophomore setter Katie Weilbacher (Grove City, Ohio) flirted with a triple-double, racking up seven kills, 32 assists and six digs. Sophomore libero Natalie Briggs (Pataskala, Ohio) and junior defensive specialist Kelly Leonard (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the defense with 18 and 14 digs, respectively.

Heidelberg (11-9, 3-0), a 2012 NCAA Tournament qualifier, hit .257 as a team, compared to .168 for Capital.

The two teams engaged in a back-and-forth affair in the first set before the 'Berg won six of the final seven points to close out the stanza.

The Crusaders came out aggressively in the second set, taking an 11-5 lead thanks to a run on the serve of junior right side hitter LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.). Heidelberg narrowed its deficit and eventually the set was tied at 22-22, but Capital retook control, winning the final three points to even the match.

A 9-0 run midway through the third helped Heidelberg run away with the set. The 'Berg won the final four points of a back-and-forth final set to take the match.

The Crusaders resume play Tuesday at home against Wilmington. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. at the Capital Center.