Volleyball: Beavers Gator Invitational Tourney champs

By: Brittany Roth, sports information assistant

Allegheny stats http://www.bluffton.edu/athletics/volleyball/2013/09-14-v1.htm

Albion stats http://www.bluffton.edu/athletics/volleyball/2013/09-14-v2.htm

The Beavers began their second day of the Gator Invitational against the host team, a solid Allegheny College squad. After starting off well and building a 22-17 lead, the first set went to Allegheny 25-23 thanks to an 8-1 run at the end of the game.

From that moment on, Bluffton took control of the match, defeating Allegheny in the next three sets, 25-17, 25-21, and 25-13. Attacking at the net were Adrienne Shepard (Arlington), Kendra Parmenter (Grove City, and Jenny Brown (St. Marys/Memorial) who had 15, 10, and 10 kills, respectively. Brooke Ruffer (Stryker) handed out 41 assists for the Beavers and MacKenzie McFarlin (Ashland) earned five aces from the service line. Defensively, Lindsay Krohn (Marysville, Ind./New Washington) led with 17 digs and Lauren Weisgarber (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) followed with 13. Parmenter and Brown controlled the net with three and two solo blocks, respectively.

Immediately following their win against Allegheny, the Beavers defeated Albion College in three quick sets (25-22, 25-19, and 25-18). Leading the offense was Ruffer with 32 assists and Parmenter with 14 kills. Ruffer also fired five aces from the service line and she led the defense with 15 digs. Krohn followed with 14 digs, while Marissa Krier (Massillon/Central Christian) and Hailey Phillips (Malinta/Patrick Henry) each tallied nine.

After going 4-0 on the weekend, the Beavers were named the Gator Invitational Tournament Champions. Shepard was selected to the All-Tournament Team after her superb play at the net. Bluffton is now 6-6 on the season. The Beavers will be off until next weekend when they travel to Columbus for the annual OAC/HCAC Challenge on the campus of Capital University. Bluffton opens with Muskingum at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.