Ohio Northern scored early and often in a sweep of the Bluffton University volleyball team on Sept. 11, just three days removed from a five-set affair between the close-in-proximity rivals at the Sommer Center Spiketacular. Bluffton dipped to 2-7 on the year, while #20 ONU improved to 7-2.

Down two sets to none and 22-16 in the third, sophomore Chelsey Taylor (Hicksville) took over at the service line and rattled off four consecutive points, including three aces, to pull the visitors within two points at 22-20.

A Bethany Martini (Pickerington/North) putaway made it 23-22 Northern, but the Polar Bears finished it off with back-to-back Madi Ellis kills for the three-set sweep.

Martini smacked 11 kills and Erin Weisgarber (Tuscarawas) tallied four without an error in addition to her 24 assists and eight digs. Senior Abby Rohrbach (New Knoxville) and freshman Brooke Kleman (Ottawa-Glandorf) picked up 17 and 16 digs, respectively.

Hitting proved to be the difference as ONU drove home 40 winners against just 10 errors, while the Beavers finished with 32 kills and 25 errors.

Bluffton is back in action on Friday, Sept. 14, when the Beavers travel to Louisville, Ky., for a weekend tournament at Spalding University. The first serve against Fontbonne is slated for 7 p.m.

Men’s golf

The Bluffton University men's golf team jumped right back into action at the Jon P. Speiss Memorial on Sept. 11. The Beavers put up their second-best round (337) since the golf program was revived a season ago.

Sophomore Michael Fimiani (Willoughby) was on fire, shooting an 81 to lead the Beavers. One stroke back was Takoda Pratt (Shelby) who checked in with an 82. Spencer Daniels (Ashland) and Anthony Mungia (North Baltimore) were also separated by just one stroke at 85 and 86, while freshmen Carter Mumbower (Newport, MI/Airport) and Nick Offenburger (Lexington) carded identical 89's for an exciting round at the Ironwood Golf Course.

Bluffton is off this weekend before returning to the links on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Beaver Fall Classic.