TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology volleyball team plays two key Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matches in the state of Ohio this weekend. The Fightin' Engineers take on Bluffton on 1 p.m. Saturday followed by a 1 p.m. game with Defiance Sunday, Oct. 26.

Rose-Hulman began HCAC play with two straight losses, but the Engineers responded with four straight conference victories. Last week, Rose-Hulman defeated Transylvania and Earlham in straight sets.

The Engineers' two setters, junior Sarah Jensen and sophomore Morgan Dreyer lead the team in kills and assists. Jensen is first on the team in assists (411) and second in kills (172). Dreyer leads the team in kills (180) and second in assists (405). Senior Briana Harvey, sophomore Emily McLendon, and freshman Becca Poppel have all recorded over 150 kills.

McLendon and freshman Mackenzie Gossard, Rose-Hulman's middle hitters, lead the team in blocking with 98 and 71 blocks respectively. Freshman Gabi Razma ranks eighth in the country in total digs with 557 for an average of 5.68 digs per set.

Bluffton comes into the match with an 18-8 record including a 5-2 mark in HCAC play. The Beavers have won their last seven matches. Rose-Hulman is 2-10 all-time against Bluffton and most recently won in 2012.

Defiance comes into the match with a 16-10 record including a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play. Rose-Hulman is 4-6 all-time against Defiance and most recently won in 2012.

After the matches in Ohio, Rose-Hulman will conclude its regular season with a match at Manchester on Nov. 1.