Ravens Fight Past Beavers

The Anderson University volleyball team fought past Bluffton University with a 25-19, 19-25, 25-19, 27-25 victory during Wednesday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

Anderson (9-10, 2-2) trailed Bluffton University (9-14, 1-3) in the fourth set by a score of 18-15. The Ravens then scored four points in a row to go ahead 19-18. After that, neither team led by more than two points until the match was decided. With the tied match at 25-all, the Ravens scored the next point. Lauren Dungan (Alexandria, Ind. / Alexandria-Monroe) then recorded the kill to clinch the match for the Ravens.

"We showed amazing fight to pull off the win," Coach Tami Miller said. "We were not fundamentally sound and not consistent, but showed moments of greatness. Felicity Bontrager played one of her best matches in the middle. Jimena Montano and Shaylen Perry were also solid in the front court for us. Lauren Dungan came off the bench and contributed key kills for us as well. There is no question that [Wednesday] was a complete team effort to secure the victory."

Felicity Bontrager (Goshen, Ind. / Fairfield) rolled to a .591 attack percentage off 13 kills and zero attack errors. Shaylen Perry (Eaton, Ohio / Eaton) posted 12 kills and a .310 hitting percentage while Jimena Montano (Algonquin, Ill. / Harvest Christian Academy) turned in 12 kills. Kaycie Gates (Newburgh, Ind. / Castle) racked up 26 assists, 18 digs and three service aces. Kate Todd (Festus, Mo. / Festus) produced 24 assists and five service aces. Dungan tallied six kills and 12 digs while Brooke Troyer (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Memorial) contributed 13 digs and three service aces. Tess Perdue (Lexington, Ky. / West Jessamine) also provided seven kills.

Anderson put together a .229 attack percentage while Bluffton finished with a .185 hitting percentage.

The Ravens challenge Earlham College (14-5, 3-1) in HCAC action on Saturday at 1 p.m. in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.