Eight-Match Win Streak Ends at Bluffton for DC Volleyball

BLUFFTON, Ohio – The 2009 regular season came to a close on Tuesday night, along with an eight-match winning streak for the Jackets via a 3-0 loss at Bluffton. The setback sealed DC as the fourth seed in the upcoming Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

Defiance entered action on Tuesday as the second-hottest team in the HCAC, behind a streaking Bluffton squad. The host Beavers kept their streak alive by defeating DC 25-15, 25-23, 25-17 for their 15th win in a row and their first-ever unbeaten season in HCAC play.

Danyel Lipps led a struggling DC offense with 11 kills and was the only player for the Jackets to reach double-digits in that statistic, as the team posted a .133 hitting percentage. Marlea Rolander and Ashlyn Howell each recorded a trio of block assists.

DC (21-10, 4-4 HCAC) will play No. 5 Rose-Hulman in the opening round of the HCAC Tournament, which will be hosted by Bluffton. The Jackets will begin their run at the HCAC Championship on Saturday, November 7 at 3:00 pm in the HCAC Quarterfinals.

With a win in the opening match, DC would advance to play at 7:00 pm against the top-seeded Bluffton squad with a spot in Sunday's 1:00 pm HCAC Championship match up for grabs.