Volleyball falls in five-set thriller to rival Bluffton

The Defiance volleyball team fell in a five-set thriller to rival Bluffton in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night, 3-2.

The Basics

• Records: Defiance (4-15, 1-7), Bluffton (10-17, 2-6)
• Location: Sommer Center - Bluffton, Ohio
• Attendance: 500

Inside The Numbers

• (23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 27-25, 9-15)
• Bluffon took the first set to make it an early 1-0 lead.
• Defiance battled back in the second set and tied the match up at 1-1.
• The Yellow Jackets used their momentum from the second set into the third set to take the lead, 2-1.
• The Beavers battled back in the next set to win a hard fought fourth set and tied the game, 2-2.
• Both teams fought back-and-forth in the fifth and final set, but saw Bluffton come out on top in the end.
• Senior Mackenzie Benham led the Yellow Jackets with 22 kills and added 22 digs during the match.
• Freshman Jamia Murray added ten spikes on the night.
• Sophomore Madison Schoenauer chipped in eight kills.
• Senior Brianna Wheeler guided the Defiance attack with 24 assists.
• Senior Tre'Ana King notched a team-high 32 digs to lead the Yellow Jacket defense.
• Cassidy Posey led Bluffton with 18 kills.
• Maddie White aided the Beaver offense with 24 assists.
• Brooke Kleman notched a game-best 35 digs.

The Breakdown

• Defiance finished the game with 57 kills, 51 assists, 105 digs, and 17 blocks.
• Bluffton ended the match with 55 kills, 51 assists, 87 digs, and 20 blocks.

Up Next

• The Yellow Jackets next return home to take on Franklin in HCAC action for Senior Day on Saturday, October 30. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.