By Scott Van Eman, SID Assistant
September 8, 2003

The volleyball team entered into their second week of play at the Taylor Ft. Wayne Tournament. The tournament was held last Friday and Saturday and included teams from Bluffton, IU-Northwest, Taylor Ft. Wayne and Alma. The Beavers took home second place in the tournament, compiling a 2-2 record with losses coming only to tournament champion Alma. Bluffton is now 4-5 on the season.

Bluffton first scheduled match against Indiana Northwest was a lopsided one with Bluffton taking three straight sets and holding Indiana to 15 points or less in each game. Jill Rothe led the Beavers offense with five kills while Courtney Tisher lead the defense with six digs. Bluffton recorded 23 service aces on the day with Leslie Overmyer recording seven alone.

Bluffton next faced Taylor Fort Wayne, but the games were closer and the results were the same as the Beavers won 3-0. Courtney Tisher reversed roles in this match-up leading the offensive with 10 kills while Karah Weldy provided the defensive support with 18 digs.

The championship round of the tournament pitted Bluffton against Alma. The first match-up between these two schools went the distance, with Alma pulling out the victory 3-2. Offensively Bluffton was led by Erin Kreim and Karah Weldy who both posted 10 kills. Weldy also led the Beavers defensively tallying 38 digs. The Beavers faced a must win situation in their second game against Alma, and despite totaling 29 team kills and 67 team digs, the Beavers went down 3-0. Bluffton was led offensively by Jenae Meck and Karah Weldy who notched six kills each, while defensively Weldy led once again with 19 digs.

The Beavers will travel next to the Cardinal Classic at Otterbein on Friday and Saturday.