By Meghan Mohr, sports information assistant

Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/volleyball/2012/09-05-vb.htm

The Bluffton University volleyball team downed local rival Ohio Northern in four sets on Sept. 5. It marked Bluffton's third consecutive victory over the Polar Bears who dropped their first match of the season after starting 4-0. The Beavers improved to 3-2 following the hard-fought win in a humid Founders Hall. Attendance was estimated at 500.

For the final home opener in Founders Hall, the Beavers out hit, out dug and out served the Polar Bears of ONU, finishing the match with a 3-1 victory (25-22, 27-25, 16-25, 25-22).

Freshmen outsides Kendra Parmenter (Grove City) and Brooke Ruffer (Stryker) both had stellar performances, pounding double-digit kills with 16 and 12, respectively. Senior Brooke Distel (Carey)  rounded out the Beaver attack with eight kills and a superb .312 hitting percentage.

Defensively, Beaver freshman Jenny Brown (St. Marys) led the team with four block assists, followed by freshman Mackenzie Lauber (Mansfield Madison) with three block assists. In the back court, junior Lindsay Krohn (Marysville, Ind./New Washington) paced the Beavers with 14 stellar digs followed by junior Hailey Phillips (Patrick Henry) with 12 and senior Heather Schierer (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) at 11 pickups.

Directing the Beaver offense was Lauber, tallying 33 assists for the match with help from junior Kyleigh Whitsel (Brookside) who handed out 12 assists.

The Beavers head to Adrian, Mich., Saturday to take on the Bulldogs at 1 p.m. before a matchup with the Trine University Thunder at 3 p.m. The Polar Bears will return to action Friday and Saturday at the Hanover (Ind.) Tournament.