October 22, 2011
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Bluffton University volleyball team rallied from a 2-1 deficit to take down host Rose-Hulman in five sets on Saturday, Oct. 22. The Beavers improved to 17-9 overall and 5-2 in the Heartland Conference while keeping alive their hopes for a potential share of the HCAC title.
Senior NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) moved within one kill of 1,000 for her career with 19 spikes against the Engineers. Also reaching double-digit kills were fellow seniors JENNA ESHLEMAN(Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) and COURTNEY ZIMMERMAN(Leesburg/Fairfield) who pounded 14 and 10 winners, respectively. Zimmerman finished with just one error on 29 attacks for a .310 hitting percentage. Sophomore BETHANY BEHNFELDT (Napoleon) added seven kills for the visitors.
The Beaver defense was up to the task as four ladies picked up double-digit digs, including three over 25. Junior libero HEATHER SCHIERER (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) led Bluffton with 28, while sophomore setter KYLEIGH WHITSEL (Sheffield Lake/Brookside) and Jenna Eshelman came up with 27 and 26, respectively. It marked Eshleman's 41st career double-double.
Whitsel set up the front line with a career-best 47 helpers and she added two block assists. Zimmerman stuffed the Engineers with one solo and four block assists.
Immediately following the victory at Rose-Hulman, the Beavers jetted over to DeDauw for a non-conference match against the always-tough Tigers. The visitors struggled against at DePauw, losing in straight sets (25-20, 25-14, 26-24).
Senior Nicole Wood started off the match with her 1000th career kill, one of 10 she put down in the contest. Behnfeldt was close behind with eight kills and a single error for a .500 hitting percentage.
Whitsel once again led the team with 29 assists. Schierer and Eshleman both picked up 16 digs for the Beavers.
Up next for the Beavers are the rival Yellow Jackets of Defiance College this Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in Founders Hall. The Beavers are now 17-10 overall (5-2 HCAC).
-BEAVERS-