Bluffton College began the 2001 volleyball season over the weekend with a fifth place finish at the Kalamazoo Invitational. The Beavers finished 2-2 overall in the tournament and will host Ohio Northern University on Wednesday at 7:00 in Founders Hall.

For BC, it was their first experience competing under the new NCAA scoring system, in which games are played to 30 points. In addition, Head Coach Sara Wakefield didn't make the trip as she continues to rest on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter on August 28.

In the tournament's opening match, Bluffton dropped a 3-1 decision to Millikin College (30-23, 12-30, 28-30, 24-30). Senior Mandy Pequignot collected a team-high 12 kills and added 23 digs, while senior Erica Jellison had 25 assists. Senior Jamie Frisk had a team-high 28 digs and two service aces.

BC got into the win column in the tournament's next match as the Beavers topped Olivet in three games (30-18, 30-15, 30-22). Frisk's 11 kills and five aces led the way, while senior Lisa Rathburn's 16 digs were a team-high.

On Saturday morning Bluffton dropped a three-game match to Calvin (22-30, 23-30, 19-30). Pequignot collected 11 kills and Jellison contributed 22 assists, while five players notched double-digit digs, led by Rathburn with 15 and Pequignot and sophomore Erin Cooper with 13.

Invitational host Kalamazoo College met Bluffton in the final match, and the Beavers walked away with a four-game win (27-30, 30-28, 36-34, 30-27). BC collected nine service aces in the match, including two from Jellison, who set 36 assists. Frisk collected a team-high 12 kills and 24 digs.

-BEAVERS-