By Takayla Gadberry, Bluffton Univ. sports information alumna

VOLLEYBALL WIN AT KENYON

GAMBIER, Ohio–The Bluffton University women's volleyball team picked up a 3-0 win on the road at Kenyon College on Sept. 7. The Beavers improved to 4-1 on the season following their fourth straight win, while the Owls fell to 0-5. 

Jenna Woods (DeGraff/Riverside) and Chloei Barnett (Wapakoneta) led the Beaver offense, hammering down nine kills apiece. Maddie White (Ashland) and Alysha Like (McComb) added to the scoreboard, smashing five spikes each. Freshman Paige Massie (Alvada/Arcadia) chipped in with five blocks for the good guys. 

White dished out 16 assists in the victory. Elle Price (Pocono Pines, PA/Findlay (Ohio) notched her second double double of the season with 10 assists and 13 digs. Mackenzie Jones (Oregon/Clay) picked up a team-best 17 digs and fired six aces.

The Beavers play Sept. 9, when they kick off the 2022 Sommer Center Spiketacular with a matchup against Pitt-Bradford. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

WOMEN'S SOCCER LOSS TO COMETS

BLUFFTON, Ohio –The Bluffton University women's soccer team opened their home slate on September 7 with a 1-0 loss to Olivet College. The Beavers fell to 0-2-1 on the season while the Comets improved to 1-1-1.

A strong defensive fight from each side kept both teams off the scoreboard for the entire first half. After a quiet start to the second period, Olivet was able to find the back of the net with just under three minutes left in regulation to secure the 1-0 victory. 

Bluffton sophomore Brielle Collier (Anna) suffered her second loss of the season despite finishing the match with three saves compared to Olivet's two. The home team outshot the Comets, 9-7, but Olivet placed two more attempts on goal (4-2). Bluffton was called for three more fouls (8-5), but also forced one more corner kick (4-3). 

The Beavers are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 10, when they head to Wyoming, MI, for a matchup against the Grace Christian Tigers. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. Go Beavers!

MEN'S SOCCER TIE VS. OLIVET

Playing at home on Sept. 7, the Bluffton University men's soccer team picked up their second tie in as many matches with a 2-2 split against Olivet College. The Beavers moved to 0-0-2 on the season with the Comets sporting a 0-2-1 mark.

Olivet started the scoring off quickly with a goal less than five minutes into the match. Bluffton's Dalton Taynor (Troy/Miami East) found the back of the net for the third time in less than a week, assisted by Brycen Boyle (Middletown) and Elijah Zimmerman (Archbold), to tie the score up 1-1 going into the half. 

The Beavers took a 2-1 lead early in the second frame as Zimmerman nailed his first goal of the season, assisted by Taynor and Boyle. Struggles from the Bluffton defense and an offensive drought led to the Comets netting their second goal of the game with just over a minute left in regulation to close the match with a 2-2 score. 

Bluffton's keeper, Angel Velasco-Urbina (Lexington, KY/Henry Clay), tallied his second tie of the season with six saves while the visiting goalie knocked down four. Olivet outshot the home team 13-11 (8-6 on goal), however the Beavers were whistled for seven more fouls (17-10). Both teams finished the match with three corner kicks.

The Beavers will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 11, when they travel up the road to Heidelberg University in Tiffin for a matchup against the Student Princes. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.