By Ben Risinger, Sports Information Director
November 2, 2004

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team (11-19, 2-5 HCAC) went the distance and came out victorious in their final regular season match of 2004. The Beavers defeated Manchester College 3-2 in five very close games. Match scores were: 30-23 (B), 30-26 (M), 30-27 (B), 30-28 (M), 15-13 (B).

"This was a great win for our senior night. This victory was especially important heading into the conference tournament," head coach Sara Wakefield said. "The team worked very hard on every point and they found success. Overall, I'm just very proud of them."

The Beavers are now the No. 6 seed heading into the Heartland Conference tournament this Saturday at Manchester College. Bluffton will play the No. 3 seed Defiance College at 3:30 p.m.

Senior COURTNEY TISHER (Rittman/Rittman) posted a team high 17 kills with senior ERIN KREIM (New Washington/Buckeye Central) knocking down 16 kills. Senior KELLY KETTINGER(Oregon/Clay) led the team with 33 digs, Tisher followed with 21 digs. Junior KERI KUHLMAN(Shelby/Shelby) led Bluffton with 6 total blocks on the evening.

PAIRINGS FOR THE 2004 HCAC VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

No. 1 Mount St. Joseph vs. No. 8 Transylvania - 1 p.m.
No. 4 Hanover vs. No. 5 Anderson - 1 p.m.
No. 2 Franklin vs. No. 7 Manchester - 3:30 p.m.
No. 3 Defiance vs. No. 6 Bluffton - 3:30 p.m.