September 14, 2010
By: Erin Oberly, sports information assistant
ADA, Ohio - In a stunning five-set thriller, the Bluffton University women's volleyball team defeated No. 12 Ohio Northern University. After taking the first set 25-21, the Beavers fell behind mid-set to drop the second, 25-20. They came out strong to take set three, 26-24, and despite losing set four 25-21, the visitors roared back to clinch the match with a 15-11 final set victory.
With the win, the Beavers upped their mark to 10-1 overall on the season. The Polar Bears now sit at 6-4. The victory snapped a string of 14 straight setbacks to ONU dating back to 1998 and it marked the first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent since Coach Yarnell took over at Bluffton.
Leading the charge for Bluffton was outside hitter JENNA ESHLEMAN (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) who slammed down 19 kills. She was accompanied by COURTNEY ZIMMERMAN(Leesberg/Fairfield) who had 13 kills, HEATHER RODMAN(Mansfield/Mansfield Christian) who had 10 kills and NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) who chipped in with eight kills. Senior setter SHAUNA ROWLAND (Bucyrus/Wynford) handed out 50 assists.
The Beavers also played exceptional defense as HEATHER SCHIERER (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) collected a career-high 42 digs while MANDI LEEMASTER (Fremont/Old Fort) and Eshleman scooped up 14 digs apiece. Rowland added 11 digs for Bluffton. At the net, Zimmerman and Rodman each had one solo block and four block assists, while Eshleman had one solo block and three block assists. The Beavers also proved to be a force behind the serving line as they rifled seven service aces as a team, led by Schierer's three aces.
The Beavers' next competition is at the Luther College Invitational in Decorah, Iowa, where they open with Simpson College on Friday, September 17, at 3 p.m.
-BEAVERS-