By Molly Burnell, Sports Information Assistant
November 8, 2004

The Bluffton University volleyball team (11-20, 2-5 HCAC) competed their last week of play with a win over Manchester College and a loss to Defiance College at the Heartland Conference tournament.  Last Tuesday the Beavers defeated Manchester in five close matches (30-23, 26-30, 30-27, 28-30, 15-13).  The team then traveled to the conference tournament where they fell to Defiance in three matches (16-30, 20-30, 26-30) on Saturday.

With a very productive senior night contest, seniors COURTNEY TISHER (Rittman/Rittman), ERIN KREIM (New Washington/Buckeye Central) and KELLY KETTINGER (Oregan/Clay) all had a decent game.  Tisher posted a team high 17 kills, Kreim added 16 kills, and Kettinger led the Beavers with 33 digs on the night.  Junior KERI KUHLMAN (Shelby/Shelby) led the blocking attack for Bluffton with six total blocks on the game.

Leading the way for the Beavers at the HCAC tournament game against Defiance was Kuhlman and senior JILL ROTHE (Wapakoneta/St.Mary's).  Kuhlman knocked down seven kills and Rothe added five to the effort.  Kettinger and Tisher led the defense for Bluffton, Kettinger had 22 digs and Tisher contributed 16 digs.

Finishing her career as a Beaver, Tisher leads the team with high numbers by posting 323 kills, 30 solo blocks, 219 digs, and 30 serving aces.  Kuhlman finished the season with 325 kills, 39 solo blocks, 60 digs, and five serving aces.  Junior LESLIE OVERMYER (Payne/Wayne Trace) ended the year with 564 assists, 257 digs, and 17 aces.  Senior Kelly Kettinger finished her career with 659 digs, 28 aces, and six kills.  Kriem concluded her college career with 165 kills, 17 aces, 368 digs, and 18 blocks.  Playing her last college games, Rothe finished the season with 150 kills, 27 assists, 137 digs, and four solo blocks.