September 2, 2017

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team finished the Sommer Center Spiketacular with two convincing wins on opening weekend. The Beavers combined a tremendous hitting performance with a sterling defensive effort to deliver a three-set sweep of the Wheaton Thunder (25-19, 29-27, 25-17).

Bethany Martini (Pickerington/North) led the team with 11 kills. Freshman Remi Bower (Deshler/Patrick Henry) provided 10 kills while setter Erin Weisgarber (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) contributed 38 assists. Sydney Mohler (Lima/Central/Catholic) and Casey Clark (Lima/Central Catholic) led the defensive effort in the back row. Mohler registered 17 digs and Clark added eight.

In Saturday's second match, the Beavers faced Kalamazoo College. Bluffton defeated the Hornets in straight sets (25-22, 25-16,25-21). Defensively, Mohler topped the Beavers in digs with 23. Courtney Zimpfer, (Jackson Center) just missed double figures with nine pickups. Martini posted 13 kills, while Carley Lester(Chesapeake) and Jessie Gibson (Warsaw/River View) contributed seven kills apiece. Weisgarber doled out a match-high 35 assists for the victors.

Bluffton takes its show on the road when the Beavers travel to Richmond, Ind., for a Wednesday night matchup with IU-East on September 6 at 7 p.m.

-BEAVERS-