September 23, 2011
By: Meghan Mohr, sports information assistant
ADA, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team opened up the weekend at the OAC/HCAC Challence with victories over Capital and Muskingum, pushing the Beavers to 8-7 on the season.
The Beavers swept the Muskies 3-0 to start the day (25-19, 25-19, 25-20) and snap a six-match losing skid. During the match against Muskingum, senior JENNA ESLEMAN (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) pounded career kill 1,000. The Beaver offense was run by sophomore KYLEIGH WHITSEL (Sheffield Lake/Brookside) who tallied 35 assists. The hitters were led by senior outside NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) with 11 kills, Eshleman with nine kills, junior BROOKE DISTEL (Carey) with seven kills and senior middle COURTNEY ZIMMERMAN (Leesburg/Fairfield) with six kills.
Defensively, the Beavers were paced by junior HEATHER SCHIERER (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) with 22 digs, followed by seniors Eshleman and Wood with 11 and 10, respectively.