By: Nick Wilson, sports information intern
March 18, 2009
 |
Bluffton University and Head Coach Steve Yarnell would like to announce the 2009 volleyball schedule. The schedule consists of tournaments hosted by Dominican University, Kenyon College and conference foe Mt. St. Joseph. Bluffton is excited to go to Dominican University for its opening tournament because the Beavers will square off with competition from four other states. Also slated to play at the tournament are Hamlin (MN), Coe (Iowa) and Clarkson (NY). The 2009 Bluffton volleyball team will play four Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matches on the road. Throughout the season, the women will travel to Manchester, Transylvania, Franklin and Rose-Hulman. |
|
The Beavers will host non-conference teams that consist of Ohio Wesleyan, national-power and backyard rival Ohio Northern, Wilmington, Grace, and Otterbein. Bluffton also welcomes HCAC rivals Mt. St. Joseph, Hanover, Anderson and Defiance to the raucous environment that is Founders Hall. |
|
Bluffton will open its 2009 campaign at the Dominican University Tournament on September 4-5, 2009. Following the season-opening trip to Chicago, the Beavers return to Founders for their home opener against Ohio Wesleyan on Sept. 9. “Coming off a 21-10 season a year ago, there are high expectations for 2009 as we are looking for an HCAC championship,” stated Coach Yarnell. The Beavers (21-10, 5-3 HCAC) wrapped up their best campaign since 1998, finishing with 10 victories in the final 12 matches of the year. Bluffton won its last four HCAC regular-season contests and claimed wins over each team in the Heartland Conference except MSJ and Anderson, which were the top two squads in the pre-season coaches' poll. |
 |
|
A pair of first team All-Heartland Conference players, sophomore Shauna Rowland (Bucyrus/Wynford) and freshman Jenna Eshleman (Landisville, Penn./Hempfield), return to lead a talented group that made it to the HCAC semi-finals in 2008 before falling to eventual champion and NCAA-power Mt. St. Joseph. -BEAVERS- |
