ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University volleyball team hosted its annual spring alumni match on Saturday, April 21, at the Robertson Center Gymnasium. 
 
The current Royals had their hands full with an Alumni Team that featured several highly decorated athletes from past seasons, including 2007 MIAC Most Valuable Player and AVCA All-American, Liz Glesne. Also in attendance was 2005 All-MIAC and All-Central Region setter, Katie Snyder Bjorklund, as well as two players who just completed their eligibility at Bethel while garnering All-MIAC selections and leading the Royals to the 2011 NCAA Tournament, Kate Smith and Nicole Wriedt. Other alums in attendance who were part of MIAC Championship teams or NCAA tournament teams included Emily Allen, Chelsea Falck Gabrielse, Stacy VandeLoo Gilbert, Betsy Naatjes Haag, Hannah Parks, Stephanie Schmidt, Kayla Smith, Jennifer Stoa, and Carissa Nieuwboer Carroll. Carroll also currently serves as an Assistant Coach for the volleyball program at Bethel.
 
Despite the strong competition, the current Royals handled the alums for most of the morning. The returning players were led by 2011 All-MIAC middle blockers Caitie Helle (Jr., Onamia, Minn.) and Amy Werner Baumetz (Jr., Three Lakes, Wis.), who were tough to stop in the middle. Val Smith (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) also demonstrated why she is one of the top liberos in the MIAC, stealing several kills from the alums and handling their serves with ease.

Head Coach Gretchen Hunt was equally impressed with several underclassmen, who utilized their spring practice to improve in all aspects of the game. "I believe Cierra Nickel had an outstanding day running the offense," noted Coach Hunt. "I know the biggest question in everyone's mind is who will take over at the setter position with the graduation of Betsy and Kate in back-to-back years, yet Cierra has made great strides this spring, and she has all kinds of intangibles that make her a good teammate and leader. It also helps that she has two outstanding middles to set, and a libero that also puts the ball right on the money." 
 
Following the competition, alums and current athletes had time for more formal introductions, and both groups had an opportunity to catch up with each other during brunch in the Monson Dining Center.
 
According to Coach Hunt, “It was a great morning of play, but also a chance to build connections with people who have shared a significant experience with each other.” Hunt continued, “One of the primary goals of our program is to build resiliency and perseverance in our athletes. To know that volleyball has helped prepare our alums for the very significant roles they have in their homes and communities is incredibly gratifying. But I also love to see them walk back in through the Robertson Center doors and see an old friend light up with excitement. I can hardly get them to get a line-up on the floor sometimes because they would all love to sit on the bench and catch up more than anything. I'm proud that they are senior accountants, physical therapists, moms, and Ph.D. candidates, but I'm also so grateful that they continue to love each other and support our program.”