September 14, 2006

PAINESVILLE, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team improved to 5-6 on the season by defeating The Storm of Lake Eric College (0-9) in three games, 30-16, 30-16, 30-20. With lightning flashing through the windows of the gymnasium and rain pelting the windows, it seemed like the night might be set for The Storm to claim victory in its home opener. Lake Erie rushed out to a 2-0 lead, but Bluffton rallied for three straight points and never looked back, taking game one by a score of 30-16.

The Beavers were led offensively by freshmen outside hitters JORDAN SCIFRES (Greenwood, IN/Lutheran) and MICHELE ROSEN (Harrison/Harrison) with nine and eight kills respectively. Rosen hit for a team-high .667 hitting percentage. Senior BRITTANY SHULTZ(Hudson, IN/Prairie Heights) paced the offense with 33 assists and added two aces from the service line. Defensively, KATIE MOORE (Bucyrus/Wynford) totaled nine digs while BRITTANY ROTH (Findlay/Findlay) and KATE BARNETT (North Bloomfield/Lakeview) added seven and five digs respectively. 

For the match, the Beavers hit at a .247 clip and pounded 17 kills in the third game alone while hitting a .393 percentage. Bluffton finished the night with 11 service aces and five team blocks.

Head Coach Steve Yarnell stated, "This was a total team victory tonight. Everyone contributed and communication was a goal and focal point for the match. This match also let us experiment a few different lineups and diversify things a bit."

Bluffton volleyball will return to action this weekend on Friday and Saturday when it travels to Goshen College for the Maple Leaf Invitational. On Friday, the Beavers go head-to-head with Taylor-Ft. Wayne at 6:00 p.m. before taking on HCAC rival Anderson at 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, Bluffton meets host Goshen College at 12 noon followed by a match against NAIA member Tiffin University at 2:00 p.m.