By Scott Van Eman, SID Assistant
October 27, 2003
The Bluffton College volleyball team hosted conference member Anderson and traveled to the Kenyon College Invitational last week. Bluffton lost to Anderson last Tuesday 3-0 and finished third in the Kenyon College Invitational last weekend, defeating Kenyon 3-2, Thiel 3-1, Denison 3-1 and losing to Heidelberg 3-1. Bluffton is now 16-14 overall and 3-3 in the Heartland Conference.
Bluffton started off the week with a home game against Anderson which the Ravens won 3-0. The Beavers battled hard in all three matches losing 30-27, 30-18 and 30-18. Erin Kreim led the way for the Beavers offensively posting 10 kills while Kelly Kettinger paced the Beavers defensively with 11 digs. Erin Cooper also added 22 assists on the day.
The Beavers looked to salvage the week at the Kenyon College Invitational held last Friday and Saturday. In the first game of the tournament Bluffton faced off against tournament host Kenyon. The game went all five sets with the Beavers pulling out the victory. Courtney Tisher totaled 13 kills during the game with Sarah Holmes adding 24 digs and Erin Cooper posting 18 assists. Bluffton kept the momentum rolling after opening the tournament with a win by downing Theil 3-1. The Beavers balanced offensive attack set the tone for the game with Courtney Tisher, Keri Kuhlman and Jenae Meck each adding at least 13 kills. Bluffton next went on to defeat Denison 3-1, putting them on a three game winning streak and giving them a 3-0 record for the tournament. Keri Kuhlman and Courtney Tisher came up big for the Beavers again in the Denison victory posting 34 kills between them largely due to the setting assists of Erin Cooper and Leslie Overmyer. Bluffton's undefeated tournament champion hopes were put to a stop in their last game against Heidelberg. Heidelberg took the game and the tournament beating Bluffton 3-1. Bluffton's 3-1 record at the Kenyon Tournament was good enough for a third place finish. Keri Kuhlman was named All-Tournament Team for her efforts at the Kenyon Invitational and has now been named to an All-Tournament Team four times this season.
Bluffton is lead offensively by Keri Kuhlman (287 kills) and Courtney Tisher (257 kills). Kelly Kettinger's 520 digs leads the Beavers and ranks second in the HCAC this season. Karah Weldy is also among Bluffton's defensive leaders with 452 digs which ranks third in the HCAC this season. Erin Cooper has steadily led the Beavers in assists with 629 this season.
Bluffton's only game this week will be this Wednesday at Oberlin. The game is slotted for a 7 p.m. start time.