By Meghan Mohr, sports information assistant

Stats: http://staging.bluffton.edu/sports/volleyball/2011/11-05-vb.htm

The Bluffton University volleyball team moved into the Heartland Conference tournament finals when it defeated Mount St Joseph in a five-set thriller on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

The Beavers improved to 22-10 overall and will take on Rose-Hulman, a four-set winner over tourney host Hanover College, on Sunday at 1 p.m. for an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

Offensively, the senior trio once again led the Beavers to victory with their play at the net. Jenna Eshleman (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield) slammed 15 kills in the match, Courtney Zimmerman (Leesburg/Fairfield) was nearly flawless with 11 kills and Nicole Wood (Tiffin/Hopewell-Loudon) added 10 bombers for the victors. Zimmerman had just one error while hitting .588 against the Lions.

Setting up the Beaver attack was sophomore Kyleigh Whitsel (Sheffield Lake/Brookside) with 43 assists on the night.

The Bluffton defense was in overdrive tonight as five players finished with double-digit digs. Junior libero Heather Schierer (Crescent Springs, Ky./St. Henry) and Eshleman paced the Beavers with 23 digs apiece. Whitsel had 12 digs, while sophomore Hailey Phillips (Malinta/Patrick Henry) added 11 digs. Zimmerman scooped up 10 digs and Wood just missed a double-double with nine pickups.

The Beavers battle Rose-Hulman for their second Heartland Conference title in three years on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Hanover. The championship tilt is slated for 1 p.m.

Rose-Hulman will be providing Live Stats for the match.