By Tim Stried
November 18, 2002

The Bluffton College volleyball team saw their 2002 season come to a close on Nov. 9 at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament hosted by Franklin College. The Beavers were dealt a 3-0 loss by Defiance College in the tournament to end the season with an overall record of 10-26.

Freshman Keri Kuhlman ended the season with 262 kills, which ranked second on the team and set a new record at Bluffton for kills by a freshman. The previous freshman record of 258 was set in 1986 by Deb (Wagner) Hucke, who still holds the record for kills per game in a season by a freshman with 2.48 (258 kills in 104 games). Kuhlman collected her 262 kills in 109 games this season (2.40 kpg).

Sophomore Courtney Tisher led the team this season with 312 kills and a .216 hitting percentage. Her kill total ranks 23rd on the single-season kills list and this year she was the only player to play in all 127 games during the season. She also led the team with 101 total blocks, which is tied for the 25th-best season total at Bluffton.

Sophomore Karah Weldy ended the season with a team and HCAC-high 76 service aces, which is the 7th-highest ace total in a season at Bluffton. Her .64 aces per game average is tied for the 7th-best in a season. Freshman Leslie Overmyer added 52 aces, which ranks 19th in a season. Her .43 aces per game average ranks 16th.

Sophomore Erin Kreim led the team in digs this season with 535, which is the 11th-best season total at Bluffton. Her 4.25 digs per game average ranks 15th on the list.

Junior Erin Cooper's 626 assists was best on the team and ranks 14th in a season, while her 5.05 assists per game average ranks 16th.