October 6, 2007

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University volleyball team traveled to Franklin College to open up an important weekend of Heartland Conference action on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. For the second consecutive year, the Beavers had their way with the Grizzlies who were picked to finish fourth in the pre-season HCAC coaches' poll.

Bluffton hit .153 for the match with 57 kills on 190 total attacks. The Beavers ripped seven service aces and were whistled for no ball handling errors, a statistic that has plagued Bluffton all year. Franklin took the lidlifter by a 30-22 count, but the Beavers rebounded to sweep the next three games, giving up 19, 26 and 28 points, respectively.

Leading the way for the Beavers at the net was standout freshman KAYLA PICKERING (Jamestown/Greenview) who pounded 18 kills with only seven errors for a .216 hitting percentage. Pickering also added nine digs, just missing out on another double-double. She finished with two solo blocks and two block assists. Senior RACHEL ALVAREZ (Convoy/Crestview) and sophomore MICHELE ROSEN(Harrison/Harrison) both rocketed 11 kills for the visitors. Freshman CRYSTAL AUGSBURGER (Bowling Green/Bowling Green) tallied seven kills, two solo blocks and two block assists.

Freshman SHAUNA ROWLAND (Bucyrus/Wynford) and junior CHELSEA WYSE (Archbold/Archbold) found the Bluffton hitters for 22 and 19 assists, respectively. Rowland finished with four block assists. Defensively, the Beavers placed three individuals in double digits for digs, led by sophomore libero BRITTANY ROTH(Findlay/Findlay) who picked up 18. Junior KATE BARNETT (North Bloomfield/Lakeview) tallied 15 digs and Wyse added 11 for the victors.

Bluffton jumps right back into action when it makes the short trip from Franklin to Terre Haute, Ind. for another conference showdown at Rose-Hulman. The match with the Engineers is slated to start at 12 noon on Saturday, October 6, 2007.

-BEAVERS-