By: Brittany Roth, sports information assistant
Oct. 16, 2013

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team struggled to find consistency on Wednesday, Oct. 16, falling to Anderson University in a five-set marathon. The Ravens snapped a four-match losing streak at the hands of the Beavers despite a 24-kill and 11-block advantage for the home team. Anderson improved to 7-13 overall and 2-2 in the Heartland Conference, while Bluffton slipped to 10-14 and 2-2 in the HCAC.

The Beavers started off quickly in the first set against the Ravens, building a 13-8 lead over the visitors. A couple of runs in the middle of the set allowed Anderson to take the lidlifter by a 27-25 count. The Beavers answered emphatically by rolling off a 25-7 victory which evened the match and saw freshman MacKenzie McFarlin (Ashland) torch the Ravens with nine straight serves.

In the third set, Anderson bolted out to an 18-11 advantage before the Beavers charged back and knotted the score at 23. However, AU recovered and claimed the third set by a 25-23 final.  The Beavers were in control the majority of the fourth set and then rolled off the final eight points for a 25-17 victory. The fifth set was hard-fought with Bluffton in the lead until the final four points as Anderson took the clincher, 15-13.

Coming out on top for Bluffton were Kendra Parmenter (Grove City) with 15 kills, Jenny Brown (St. Marys/Memorial) with 13 kills and Lauren Weisgarber (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) with 12 kills. Brooke Ruffer (Stryker) and Sara Roth (Findlay/Van Buren) dished up 29 and 22 assists, respectively.

The Beavers controlled the net throughout the match with an astounding 17 total blocks. Leading the Beavers was Weisgarber with two solo blocks and seven block assists. Brown had six block assists as well. Weisgarber also led Bluffton at the serving line with 25 attempts throughout the match. The back row was paced by Ruffer with 15 digs. Marissa Krier (Massillon/Central Christian) and Lindsay Krohn (Marysville, IN/New Washington) added 12 and 11 digs, respectively.

Bluffton will travel to Hanover this weekend to face the Panthers in a crucial HCAC matchup on Saturday at 5 p.m.

-BEAVERS-