October 26, 2011
By: Meghan Mohr, sports information assistant 

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team hosted rival Defiance College on Wednesday, Oct. 26, posting a 3-0 sweep over the rival Yellow Jackets (25-19, 25-17, 25-17). A raucous Founders Hall crowd saw the Beavers rally from a 16-12 first-set deficit and never look back. The home team won 13 of the next 16 points for a 25-19 victory over Defiance in the lid lifter.

Bluffton kept its hopes of a share of the Heartland Conference championship alive with the victory when Transylvania fell to Mount St. Joseph this evening. The Beavers improved to 18-10 overall and 6-2 in the HCAC, while Defiance slipped to 14-13 and 4-4 in the HCAC.

Seniors JENNA ESHLEMAN (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) and NICOLE WOOD (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) led the Beaver attack, pounding 16 and 14 kills, respectively. Senior middle COURTNEY ZIMMERMAN (Leesburg/Fairfield) followed with six ferocious spikes of her own.

Sophomore KYLEIGH WHITSEL (Sheffield Lake/Brookside) set up the Beavers with 33 assists. She also chipped in with eight digs for the home team.

Defensively, junior libero HEATHER SCHIERER (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) paced the team with 14 digs, followed by sophomoreLINDSAY KROHN (Marysville, Ind./New Washington) with 10 digs and Eshleman with six pickups.

The Beavers wrap up regular season action when they take on Franklin (1 PM) and the College of Wooster (5 PM) on Saturday, Oct. 29, in Founders Hall. Come and support the Beavers as we celebrate Senior Day at Bluffton University.

-BEAVERS-