Rose-Hulman Earns First HCAC Volleyball Tournament Title

Box Score (click here)

HANOVER, IN – The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology volleyball team turned in an impressive performance and swept No. 3 seed Bluffton, 25-15, 25-17, 25-11, on Sunday afternoon to claim the school’s first ever Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament title.  The fifth-seeded Engineers (24-8) will advance to the NCAA Division III tournament by virtue of claiming the conference’s automatic bid.

Against the Beavers, junior Anna Lewer (Indianapolis, Ind./Lutheran) led the way with 10 kills, nine digs, and a .429 hitting percentage.

Senior Morgan Williams (Fenton, Mich./Powers Catholic) added eight kills and five blocks, while Leah Pelzel (Loveland, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) contributed 21 assists in the conference championship match.

RHIT advanced to Sunday’s championship match by defeating No. 4 seed Transylvania University in the opening round, 3-2 and handing host Hanover a 3-1 defeat in the semifinals.

Lewer was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after strong performances throughout the week.  Joining her on the All-Tournament Team from the Engineers was Karah Hickman (Hobart, Ind./H.S.) and Leah Pelzel. 

The remaining members of the all-tournament team consisted of Bluffton’s Courtney Zimmerman (Leesburg, Ohio/Fairfield) and Jenna Eshleman (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield), Mount St. Joseph’s Kat Roedig (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) and Hanover’s Abby Merritt (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North).

Rose-Hulman will take part in regional play on November 11-13. RHIT will find out their site and opponent Monday morning when the NCAA releases their brackets. The finals will be held November 18-20 at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.