By Scott Van Eman, SID Assistant
September 22, 2003
The volleyball team had their most successful week to date for the season, fashioning a 2-0 record with wins over Manchester on Tuesday and Marietta on Friday. The two wins improved the Beavers’ record to 8-7 overall and 1-0 in the Heartland Conference.
First up for Bluffton last week was HCAC member Manchester, the contest was the first conference game for the volleyball team this season. Bluffton dropped the first game 30-26 to Manchester but swept the next three games to take the match 3-1. Bluffton displayed a balanced offensive attack with Cooper, Pollock, Kreim, Kuhlman, Weldy, Rothe and Meck all providing at least five kills. Defensively, Bluffton was led by Erin Kreim who totaled 34 digs while Cooper, Kirkton and Weldy each added at least 12 digs apiece.
Bluffton’s second match of the week pitted the Beavers against Lake Erie College. The match was a see-saw battle spanning all five games. Lake Erie took the first game of the match followed by two game victories by Bluffton and then yet another Lake Erie victory in game four forcing game five. Game five remained close, with the Beavers pulling out the 15-11 win in the game and the 3-2 win in the match. Bluffton was offensively and defensively led by Erin Kreim who posted 14 kills and 27 digs.
Keri Kuhlman is among Bluffton’s leaders this season totaling 129 total kills for 2.35 average kills per game. Senior Erin Cooper has been Bluffton’s most steady setter providing 321 assists thus far. Defensively, Bluffton is lead by Karah Weldy who has accumulated a team leading 266 digs this season.
Bluffton will take on Tri-State this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Founders Hall. The Beavers will compete in the Ohio Wesleyan Tournament this weekend.
