Bluffton downs Yellow Jackets in rivalry matchup

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Defiance College volleyball team was defeated by Bluffton in four sets Wednesday night at the Sommer Center (18-25, 25-22, 18-25, 8-25).

Bluffton improves to 6-23 overall and 1-7 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Defiance drops to 4-21 overall and 0-8 in the HCAC.

Back-to-back kills by Jaelyn Tomoletz and Jamia Murray gave the Yellow Jackets an early 5-4 lead. Bluffton stormed back and scored the next five to take a 9-5 lead. Another kill by Murray made it 11-10, but Bluffton answered to extend the lead back to 14-10. A kill by Kaylynn Wellman made it 14-12 but the Beavers were able to hold onto the narrow lead. Another kill by Murray made it 22-18 but the Beavers won the final three to take the set and clinched the set on a kill by Chloei Barnett.

Back-to-back kills by Kaylynn Wellman and a block by Jaelyn Tomoletz gave the Yellow Jackets a quick 3-0 start in set two. Tied at four, the Yellow Jackets won the next five fueled by kills from Wellman, Tomoletz, and Madison Schoenauer. With the Yellow Jackets leading 15-10, Bluffton answered and tied it at 15 momentarily as the next point was won by Defiance with a kill by Jamia Murray. Tied at 20, Shelby Clements and Murray recorded kills to give DC a 23-20 lead and the Yellow Jackets would clinch the set with consecutive kills by Murray. 

It was a quick start again for Defiance in set three as they jumped out to a 5-1 lead thanks to a kill by Jaelyn Tomoletz and a service ace by Jamia Murray. The set remained tight and a kill from Shelby Clements tied it at 13. Bluffton scored the next three points and led the rest of the way. Kills by Clements and Madison Schoenauer along with a service ace by Clements rallied the Yellow Jackets to tie the set at 18. However, it was Bluffton who won the final seven points to win the set and took advantage of four Defiance errors during the stretch.

Set four was all Bluffton as they jumped out to a very quick 11-0 lead. Jaelyn Tomoletz and Jamia Murray recorded back-to-back points to make it 11-2. Defiance momentarily stopped another run by the Beavers with a kill by Abby Altizer to make it 19-7. Bluffton would win six of the final seven points to win the set and the match. 

Defiance finished the match with 46 kills, 40 assists, and 50 digs. Bluffton ended with 44 kills, 40 assists, and 46 digs. 

Jamia Murray led the way in kills with 12 while Kaylynn Wellman and Shelby Clements each finished with nine. Courtney Maxwell finished with 33 of the 40 assists and Emma Chafins added 14 digs. 

The Yellow Jackets will end the season with their Senior Day match on Saturday, November 4 at 6 p.m. against Mt. St. Joseph.