Looking to snap its first losing streak of the season the John Carroll University volleyball team had a tough mid-week conference task in Heidelberg.

John Carroll had not beaten Heidelberg in nine straight meetings with the last eight series losses coming via sweeps. The Blue Streaks entered the contest 0-3 in 5-set matches this year.

That all changed Tuesday night in Tiffin, Ohio.

It did not come easy. John Carroll led 12-6 in the fifth set and would need a late rally after Heidelberg stormed back to tie the frame at 12. JCU would hang on to win 20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13.

The back-and-forth affair was evident from the start with the teams trading the lead five times in the first set and tying the score eight times. The Berg used a 6-2 run to close out the set 25-20.

John Carroll rebounded winning the second set 25-20. Leading 11-10 the Blue and Gold went on a 6-1 run to open up a 17-11 lead. Sarah Orlandi and Kit O'Shaughnessy combined for five kills on the run. The Berg cut its deficit to three at 23-20, but Orlandi capped the set with a kill and an ace.

Jamie Kluding's three kills led Heidelberg on a pivotal 6-1 run in the third set allowing the Berg to open up a 19-17 lead. A kill from sophomore Madeline McDowell put the Blue Streaks behind by one but a 4-0 run from Heidelberg sealed JCU's fate in the third set.

JCU needed a late rally in the fourth set to stay in the match. Heidelberg took a 21-18 lead but immediately had a setting and an attack error to let John Carroll back in the set. Down 22-20 the Blue Streaks went on a 5-0 run to force the fifth set led by three kills from sophomore Alexa Webber.

The Blue Streaks used a 7-1 run to open up a 5-point lead in the fifth set with Orlandi leading the charge with two blocks. Kills from McDowell and Webber pushed JCU's advantage to 12-6 but Heidelberg stormed right back tying the deciding frame at 12. Webber and Leah Switalski recorded decisive kills for JCU.

Orlandi led the way for JCU recording a team-high 16 kills. Webber (13) and Switalski (11) joined the junior with double-digit kills. O'Shaughnessy notched her 12th double-double of the season with 45 assists and 17 digs.

John Carroll improved to 17-5, 3-1 OAC with the win while Heidelberg fell to 14-11, 3-2 OAC.

The Blue Streaks remain on the road with a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday at Marietta.