FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University volleyball team dropped a three-setter at Franklin College in the Heartland Conference opener for the Beavers on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Bluffton fell to 5-13 overall and 0-1 in the HCAC, while Franklin upped its mark to 7-9 and 2-0.

Bluffton scored six straight on the serving of Emma Organ (Lambertville, Mich./St. Ursula) to take a 16-14 lead in the lidlifter, but the Grizzlies responded with 10 straight points en route to a 25-17 victory. The home team took set two, 25-21, and then it ran away with the clincher, 25-8, as Franklin swept Bluffton in the Spurlock Center.

Junior Chloei Barnett (Wapakoneta) led the offense with eight kills. Handing out 17 assists was freshman Mallory Fluharty (Wooster/Triway). Organ picked up a team-high 11 digs and she rifled four of Bluffton's five service aces.

Bluffton heads to Wilmington College on Saturday, Sept. 30, where the Beavers will take on John Carroll at 2 p.m. before a 4 p.m. meeting with the host Quakers.

-BEAVERS-