BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton University senior Remi Bower (Deshler/Patrick Henry) capped off her stellar career at Bluffton by being named the Heartland Conference Player of the Year. Also recognized were honorable mention selections Brooke Kleman (Glandorf/Ottawa-Glandorf) and sophomore Kaylie Campbell (Camden/Preble Shawnee).
Bower showed off her versatility in 2020-21 en route to becoming Bluffton's 4th HCAC Player of the Year. She follows in the footsteps of Mackenzie McFarlin (2014 and 2016) and Shauna Rowland (2009). Standout libero Sydney Mohler was the HCAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. For Bower, it was her second straight First Team All-HCAC selection!
The two-time HCAC Player of the week this season led the Heartland with 259 kills, 3.45 kills per set and 40 aces. She also leads the nation in aces and is 2nd in the NCAA Division 3 with her 259 putaways. Bower was 2nd on the team with 204 digs, a career high, and she was also in on 25 blocks.
The four-year starter on the outside finished her career #3 all-time with 3.02 kills per set. Her 1,152 kills are 10th all time, while her 3.45 KPS this year are 8th all-time for a single season.
Kleman capped off her junior campaign with a third straight All-HCAC Honorable Mention award. The 2018 HCAC Freshman of the Year led the conference with 284 digs, bringing her career tally to 1,296. She is just outside the top 15 for career digs and is on pace to finish in the top five when the dust settles this fall.
The three-year starting libero is currently 5th all-time with 4.53 DPS and her .371 aces per set place Kleman #12 on the career list. Her 27 aces were third on the team and have Kleman at 106 for her career.
Taking home her first piece of All-Heartland Conference hardware was Kaylie Campbell. The talented middle and right side hitter was second on the Beavers with 132 kills and 60 blocks. Her 173 points were also second on the team. Campbell's consistency was a critical piece of Bluffton's success in its unusual 2020-21 season. She hit .235 with 27 digs and four service aces.
The Beavers have compiled a 279-210 record since Coach Yarnell took the reins in 2005. They have won at least 20 matches six times while going 80-35 in Heartland Conference action since 2008. The Beavers punched their ticket for a 13th straight Heartland Conference Tournament and after opening the conference slate with a 2-3 mark, Bluffton rolled off four straight victories to secure the #4 seed. A pair of unbelievable comebacks against Manchester and Frankin had the Beavers in the HCAC tournament semi-finals for the 11th time in 13 seasons!
-BEAVERS-