The Bluffton University volleyball was looking to avenge its recent loss to local rival Ohio Northern when the Beavers invaded the King Horn Center on Wednesday, Sept. 25, but ONU had none of it as the home team made quick work of the Beavers, wrapping up its second three-set victory over Bluffton in five days. Ohio Northern improved to 10-6 following the win, while Bluffton slipped to 7-10 with a fourth setback in its last five matches.

The visitors held early leads in the first and the third sets, but the Beavers were unable to parlay them into a victory as ONU put together significant runs in all three sets en route to a convincing sweep of Bluffton (25-21, 25-11, 25-17). Ohio Northern dominated the second set from start to finish, allowing Bluffton consecutive serves just twice while rolling to a 25-11 win.

Jenny Brown (St. Marys/Memorial) and MacKenzie McFarlin (Ashland) paced the Bluffton hitters with nine spikes apiece. Sophomore Kendra Parmenter (Grove City) and junior Ashley Litwiller (Hopedale, Ill./Olympia) added seven and six kills, respectively. Setting the table for the Bluffton hitters was sophomore Brooke Ruffer (Stryker) who handed out 31 assists.

Senior Hailey Phillips (Malinta/Patrick Henry) picked up a team-best 11 digs for the Beavers. McFarlin just missed out on a double-double with nine digs to go along with her nine kills. Ruffer chipped in with six digs while Adrienne Shepard (Arlington) and Parmenter were both in on four blocks.

Bluffton will continue its daunting stretch of Ohio Athletic Conference opponents when the Beavers travel to Alliance, Ohio, for a pair of matches with Marietta and #8 Mount Union which is currently a perfect 16-0. Bluffton is looking to even the season series with the Pioneers after Marietta defeated the Beavers on the opening weekend at the Sommer Center Spiketacular. The contest with Marietta is slated for 1 PM before Bluffton tries to knock Mount Union from the ranks of the undefeated at 3:30 PM.