November 1, 2015
By: Samantha Granger, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio -  The Beavers came out ready to fight at their last conference match against the Franklin College Grizzlies on Sunday, Nov. 1. After the recognition of four seniors: outside hitter KENDRA PARMENTER from Grove City, Ohio; middle hitter JENNY BROWN from St. Marys, Ohio; student coach Marissa Krier; and student trainer Sierra Beckford, another conference battle took center stage.

Franklin used the momentum it had following a five-set thriller at Defiance on Saturday, and coupled with Bluffton's slow start the Beavers found themselves down 12-9 before MacKenzie McFarlin (Ashland) turned it around with three straight serves. It took extra time but a couple late kills by Kendra Parmenter helped Bluffton win the lidlifter, 26-24. A couple early runs with Becca Tourney (Columbia City, Ind.) and Lauren Weisgarber (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) at the service line powered the Beavers to a 25-19 victory in set two. McFarlin did the damage in the finale, knocking down a kill which tied the score at 6-6 and then firing nine consecutive serves as the Beavers pulled away for the 25-14 dusting.

All of Bluffton's hitters had stellar numbers as the team fashioned a blistering .416 hitting percentage for the match. Senior Jenny Brown led with 14 kills on 20 attempts for a white-hot .650 hitting percentage. Dominant outsides Kendra Parmenter and MACKENZIE MCFARLIN (Ashland) both finished with 12 kills apiece, while junior middle Lauren Wesigarber put away eight winners (.500 hitting) for the Beavers.

ERIN WIESGARBER (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) racked up 44 assists. Libero SYNDEY MOHLER (Lima/Central Catholic) picked up a match-high 13 digs. Lauren Weisgarber and ABBY ROHRBACH (New Knoxville) chipped in six digs each. BECCA TOURNEY (Columbia City) and Lauren Weisgarber were both unstoppable from the service line, finishing with three and two aces, respectively. The Beavers wrapped up the regular season 8-1 in the HCAC and 17-12 overall.

Bluffton will travel to Hanover to play in the HCAC Tournament (5 PM) on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Beavers will meet Wednesday night's winner of Manchester University at Defiance College.

-BEAVERS-