There was that glimmer.

For the first game, the Blue Streaks were in sync and taking advantage of Heidelberg miscues.

After that opening frame, the Berg took control of matters and produced a four set win at the DeCarlo Varsity Center, downing the hosts 18-25 25-16 25-17 25-21.

John Carroll trailed early on in the first game 5-4 but then embarked on a 13-4 run to take a commanding 17-9 lead behind the serving of Shannon Atwell. Heidelberg at one point clsoed to within four at 20-16 but a final burst carried JCU to the victory.

Atwell and fellow rookie setter Maddie Christopher each had four assists and the freshmen tandem of Sarah Calabrese and Alaina Mowinski combined for six kills as the Blue Streaks limited Heidelberg a paltry -.042 hitting percentage (nine kills against 11 errors).

The second game was not one JCU will care to remember. While Heidelberg cleaned up its act, the home team struggled mightily with just five kills as opposed to 11 errors. Not surprisingly, the Berg shook off an early 5-2 deficit and won 23 of the final 34 points. 

It was a similar story in the third, but the Blue Streaks battled hard -- and more efficiently -- in the fourth game. On two different occasions, at 15-10 and 20-15, the Blue Streaks trailed by five points and in both cases pulled to within two. But 23-21 was as close as John Carroll could get. Heidelberg won the final two points to improve to 10-9 overall and 1-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

A spoiled conference home opener left the Blue Streaks at 5-16 ov erall and 1-1 in league play.

JCU has now played four matches at home this season, and while dropping to 0-4 at the DeCarlo center, once again managed to win at least one game. Two matches have gone five sets, and the other two have gone four.

The Blue Streaks will host Marietta (8-12, 0-2 OAC) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.