September 30, 2011

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University volleyball team captured their second consecutive HCAC contest on Friday, Sept. 30, over the visiting Anderson Ravens to improve to 12-7 on the year and 2-1 in conference play. Bluffton controlled the pace of the first two sets, winning convincingly 25-15 and 25-19, before taking the third set 25-22 after 15 ties and seven lead changes for the 3-0 sweep. The Beavers have improved their winning streak to six matches in a row while dropping just two sets during that stretch.

The tandem of Jenna Eshleman (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) and Nicole Wood (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) were too much for the Ravens to handle. The pair of talented outsides combined for 29 kills and a .381 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Kyleigh Whitsel (Sheffield Lake/Brookside) dished out 42 assists for an impressive 14 assists per set average. The middle hitters had a balanced attack, led by senior Courtney Zimmerman (Leesburg/Fairfield) with eight kills, and followed closely by sophomore Bethany Behnfeldt (Napoleon) with seven finishers and a .385 hitting percentage. 

The backcourt was led by libero Heather Schierer (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) and Eshleman as both shared team-high honors with 11 digs. Schierer and sophomore Hailey Phillips (Malinta, Patrick Henry) both torched the Anderson side-out defense with three service aces apiece. 

The Beavers travel to Tiffin, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 4, for a matchup with regional power and #8 nationally-ranked Heidelberg University. The first serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

-BEAVERS-