October 14, 2011
By: Meghan Mohr, sports information assistant

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton University volleyball team avenged its 2010 three-set loss to Transylvania in Founders Hall with a thrilling victory over the Pioneers on Friday, October 14, 2011. The Beavers improved to 16-8 overall and 4-1 in the Heartland Conference with their 10th win in 11 matches. Transylvania fell to 14-9 and 3-1 in the HCAC following the setback. Bluffton keeps its conference championship dream alive with the exciting win over Transylvania (25-18, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-11). 

Set one was back and forth with the lead changing hands several times before the Beavers took over after point 15 to run away with the victory. Sets two and three also went down to the wire. The score was neck and neck until the finish of both sets as the home team went up 2-1. Set four was controlled by the Pioneers until late when a Beaver rally was sparked by the stellar defense and attacking on the front line. Finally in the rubber set, the Beavers came alive and used a 10-5 advantage en route to their 15-11 match clincher.

Once again the senior trio of COURTNEY ZIMMERMAN(Leesburg/Fairfield), NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) and JENNA ESHLEMAN (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) came alive for the Beavers, leading the team with 14 kills apiece. Sophomore KYLEIGH WHITSEL (Sheffield Lake/Brookside) directed the offense with 44 assists on the night. Also putting points on the board for the Beavers were Eshleman with three aces and Whitsel with two aces. 

Defensively, junior libero HEATHER SCHIERER (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) led the team with 19 digs. Eshleman and Whitsel were also in double-digit digs with 14 and 13. respectively. Following close behind was HAILEY PHILIPS (Malinta/Patrick Henry) with eight digs. Also helping out the defense for the Beavers was the blocking, including five block assists by sophomore BETHANY BEHNFELDT(Napoleon), four block assists by Wood, and three block assists and a solo block from Zimmerman.

The Beavers have little time to celebrate as they travel to Hanover College for another crucial matchup with the Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 15. The contest is slated for 1 p.m.

-BEAVERS-