Defiance Drops First HCAC Match Against Bluffton

BLUFFTON, OHIO – The Defiance College volleyball team dropped a straight-set match to the Bluffton University Beavers on Wednesday night at the Sommer Center in Bluffton. 

In the opening set, the Beavers led off the match scoring five of the first six points, but DC quickly responded with five of the next six points to tie the set at 6-6. The Beavers rallied to take a 14-11 edge, and maintained that lead through the rest of the set. They led 21-17, before scoring the last four points of the set to win the opening set, 25-17.

The Yellow Jackets hung even through the beginning of the second set, as they sat at an 8-8 draw. Bluffton went on a quick 6-1 spurt to take a 14-9 lead midway through the stanza, but the Yellow Jackets scored the next three to draw within two points at 14-12. DC kept within striking distance, getting the lead down to 18-17 late in the set. However, the Beavers went on a late run to take the second, 25-21.

The third set was all Bluffton, as they scored nine of the first 10 and 13 of the first 15 points, en route to a 25-9 victory to sweep the match from the Yellow Jackets.

Sophomore Jenni Davis (Delta) led the Yellow Jacket offense with six kills, while freshman Morgan Porter (Defiance) led the defense with 16 digs. Junior Jaidyn Patridge (Toledo/Springfield) finished the day with 14 digs. 

The Yellow Jackets will look to rebound on Saturday, Oct. 14 as they travel to Hanover, Ind. to take on the Hanover College Panthers. Match time is set for 5 p.m.