By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
Oct. 25, 2008
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team was ignited from the start as the Beavers rolled over the Rose-Hulman Engineers in just three sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-13) on Saturday, October 25, 2008. With the win, Bluffton improved to 15-9 overall and 3-3 in the Heartland Conference, while Rose-Hulman dropped to 18-12 with a 2-3 mark in the HCAC. The back-to-back HCAC wins over Transy and Rose-Hulman have the Beavers in excellent position to challenge for a berth in the upcoming Heartland Conference Tournament.
Freshman NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell Loudon) sparked the Bluffton hitters with 14 kills and a whopping .385 hitting percentage. CHRISTIANA SINDELAR (Napoleon) pounded seven spikes, including three late in the final set as Bluffton capped the victory with a 25-13 demolition of the visitors. Fellow freshman JENNA ESHLEMAN (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) collected eight digs and piled up four block assists and a solo block. Freshman HEATHER RODMAN (Mansfield/Mansfield Christian) added three block assists for Bluffton after an eight-block performance against Transylvania last night.
Sophomore SHAWNA ROWLAND (Bucyrus/Wynford) connected with her teammates for a total of 29 assists. ALLISON STREICHER (Continental) picked up two assists and three service aces. Both Streicher and Rowland had six digs in the win over RHIT. Pacing Bluffton defensively was junior libero BRITTANY ROTH(Findlay) who chipped in with eight digs and four service aces.
The Beavers had 37 kills, giving Bluffton a .239 team hitting percentage. Bluffton rifled 14 service aces and collected 35 digs while stuffing the Engineers at the net eight times in the contest. With the win, the Beavers greatly enhanced their chances of securing a berth in the conference tournament. Bluffton's 15 victories are the most since the Beavers went 17-16 in 2003.
Bluffton returns to action on Tuesday, Oct. 28, when the Beavers host HCAC rival Franklin. The match with the Grizzlies is slated to start at 7 PM in Founders Hall.