By Bill Hanefeld Jr., interim sports information director
September 27, 2005

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team (10-9, 0-1) gave Mount St. Joseph (10-5 1-0) all it could handle before the Lions closed out the match in the fourth set 31-29. The raucous crowd witnessed an eventful match that was the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The Beavers fell by scores of 30-18, 27-30, 30-28 and 31-29 after the ball took a few unlucky bounces off of the rafters at the end of the match.

Senior KERI KUHLMAN (Shelby/Shelby) led the Beaver hitters in their quest to knock off the nationally ranked Lions. She put down 18 kills and recorded five blocks against the formidable front line from perennial powerhouse Mount St. Joseph. Freshman CHELSEA WYSE(Archbold/Archbold) sparked her Bluffton teammates numerous times throughout the match, both serving and going to the floor to return shots that seemed destined to become Lion points. Sophomore RACHEL ALVAREZ (Convoy/Crestview) also had a stellar performance as she led the Beavers with 23 digs and had 9 kills. Junior BRITTANY SHULTZ (Hudson, Ind./Prairie Heights) set up the Bluffton hitters with 33 assists on the night.

The Beavers will be back in action this Saturday, October 1 when they host HCAC foe Hanover. The first serve is scheduled for 12 noon.