BLUFFTON, Ohio. – The Adrian College volleyball team put up a tough fight against Bluffton University in their season-opener falling 3-2 (25-21, 16-25, 19-25, 25-20, 6-15).

After falling behind in the first set, the Bulldogs used a late 15-3 run to rally back from an early eight point deficit to win the first set. Bluffton, a region tournament participant last season, took an early 7-1 lead in the second set to even the match at one game each.  Bluffton again jumped out early to win the third set. In the fourth set it was Adrian who jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. Bluffton would eventually rally to tie at 14-14, when senior Rebecca Tincknell made two kills to lead the Bulldogs in a 7-0 run to take the set. The Beavers however got an early lead in the fifth set and never looked back, not allowing the Bulldogs to get more than two points in a row.

Playing without injured setter Katie MacFarlan and libero Jamie Taylor , freshman Danielle Bogedin and Kristi Walker stepped up to fill the voids. The offense for the Bulldogs was led by Bogedin who had 11 kills, hitting a solid .375 percent. Tincknell was second on the team with 10 kills, while adding five digs and three blocks. Sophomore Kelly MacDonald tallied nine kills and 12 digs. Junior Joanna Slisinger and Sophomore Kristy DeClercq did a good job filling in for the injured MacFarlan to contribute a combine 36 assists.

Walker played solid defense to lead the team with a game-high 26 digs. While junior Roxanne Duran contributed with 14 digs and a team-high four aces.

"Tonight exceeded my expectations going into the game" Coach Elisa Joris said. "The team chemistry on the court was great and everyone stepped up. Our freshman did a great job in their first game. Bluffton is a great team, we were caught out of position at times and their experience carried them down the stretch. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season after tonight, I think we can surprise some people."