SANDUSKY, Ohio - The Carroll University women's volleyball team began its season with two nonconference dual meets at the Cedar Point Tournament on Friday, falling to Ohio Northern University 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 in the opener and losing a five-set thriller to Heidelberg University 18-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20, 17-15 in the first-round finale.
It was the first official competition for Carroll first-year head coach Emma Mertler.

vs. Ohio Northern University
Kaitlin Gawelski contributed six kills, three assists and two service aces to lead Carroll in the opener at the Cedar Point Sports Complex.
Payton Depies followed with three aces, four digs and seven assists for the Pioneers, who generated a combined 21 kills, 12 aces and and .180 hitting percentage.

vs. Heidelberg University
Ashley Konecki finished with a team-high 17 kills, two blocks and an ace in the inspired five-set performance against Heidelberg.
Gawelski followed with 13 kills, 20 digs and a block for the Pioneers, who maintained a 2-1 advantage but struggled to maintain the momentum down the stretch.
Maggie McGough had 27 digs and Payton Depies added 29 assists for Carroll, which combined for 58 kills highlighted by a team-best 14 kills in the opening set.

The Pioneers are scheduled to face Allegheny College (8 a.m.) and Case Western Reserve University (Noon) in today's final day of competition.