By Ben Risinger, sports information director
September 3, 2005
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team (3-1) placed fifth in their 2005 opening tournament over Sept. 2-3. The Beavers win on Friday against Grove City gave new head coach Steve Yarnell his first collegiate coaching victory.
The Beavers lost their first match on Sept. 2 to Grove City, 3-0 (28-30, 20-30, 22-30) and picked up the win over Ohio Wesleyan, 3-1 (30-22, 30-15, 28-30, 30-26) in the nightcap. On Sept. 3 Bluffton won both matches to earn fifth place in the tournament. The team defeated Lake Erie, 3-1 (27-30, 30-22, 30-21, 30-23) and the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg 3-0 (30-16, 30-13, 30-26).
In game one against Grove City, sophomore Kalla Aeschliman (Wauseon/Wauseon) posted a team high 29 attacks with nine kills. Sophomore Rachel Alvarez (Convoy/Crestview) connected on 11 kills and 12 digs for the match to lead the team.
Aeschliman led the team again against Ohio Wesleyan with 46 total attacks (22 kills). Alvarez posted seven service aces and 24 digs for the contest. Junior Katie Moore (Bucyrus/Wynford) led the team with 25 digs on the game.
Against Lake Erie Aeschliman posted six kills and 28 total attacks for a .107 hitting percentage. Alvarez led the team with 16 digs in the match. In the team's 3-0 defeat of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Aeschliman led the team with 10 kills and 22 total attacks. Senior Keri Kuhlman (Shelby/Shelby) led the team with 11 digs.
The Beavers will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 6 when they host nearby rival Ohio Northern. The varsity match is slated for 7 p.m. in Founders Hall.
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