Leaving Bluffton as the second-most prolific setter in school history, Shauna Rowland set up the Beaver hitters with 1,047 assists (sixth all-time) in 2010 and her 10.26 assists per set was second all-time to her record 10.55 APS in 2009. In addition, Rowland picked up 248 digs which was the third-highest total for Bluffton in 2010 between liberos Heather Schierer and MANDI LEEMASTER (Fremont/Old Fort). She added 66 kills 15 service aces, five solo blocks and 29 block assists during her senior campaign.

 

For her career, Rowland finished with the most assists per set (8.93) in school history, more than one assist higher than no. 2 all-time Jayne Miller who dished out 7.82 APS. Rowland moved into second place all-time with 3,695 career assists, trailing only Miller who tallied 4,275 assists from 1995-98. She pounded 416 kills and dropped in 105 aces as a Beaver. The four-year starter tallied 18 solo blocks to go along with 115 block assists while piling up 1,313 career digs.

 

Junior Courtney Zimmerman picked up her first All-Heartland Conference honor in just her second season of collegiate volleyball. The talented middle became Bluffton's go-to hitter in 2010 and she responded with a team-high 281 kills and outlandish .318 hitting percentage which established a new mark for the Beavers. Zimmerman stopped opposing hitters with 18 solo blocks and 54 block assists. She chipped in with 47 digs and seven service aces. Her .303 career hitting percentage is currently tops at Bluffton, over 50 points higher than the second-highest mark of .252 which was recorded by Mandy Pequignot from 1998-2001.

 

Junior Nicole Wood continued her outstanding play in 2010 and was chosen Honorable Mention All-HCAC. It marks the second straight post-season honor for Wood who was a first team selection as a sophomore. Wood was second for the Beavers with 251 kills and she finished with a .203 hitting percentage. She stuffed the opposition with 32 block assists and two solos, while picking up 59 digs this season. Her .225 career hitting percentage places her ninth all-time at Bluffton after three seasons as a starting outside for the Beavers.

 

Transfer Heather Schierer showed her extreme versatility as both a starting libero for the first half of the season before moving to outside hitter against Manchester College late in September. She led the team with 366 digs and 58 service aces in her first season as a Beaver. Schierer put down 140 spikes and added 17 block assists at the net. She played in all 106 sets for Bluffton while helping the team continue to roll following lineup-altering injuries.

 

Bluffton University Head Coach Steve Yarnell collected victory number 100 at long-time rival Defiance College as the Beavers went over the 20-win plateau for the third consecutive season. Also for the third straight year, the Beavers advanced to the semi-finals of the HCAC tournament where they were defeated by Mount St. Joseph. Bluffton narrowly missed an at-large bid which would have sent the Beavers to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season.

 

The Beavers wrapped up their outstanding season with a record of 23-7 overall and 7-2 in the HCAC.  Full statistics and information on the 2010 volleyball season are available online at www.blufftonbeavers.com/volleyball.