ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Looking back on the 2011-12 season, Bethel University athletics enjoyed a number of incredible achievements and accolades. Several teams made monumental runs to the postseason, while certain individuals amped up their play to become star performers. Additionally, the Royals made plenty of noise off the playing surface throughout the entire year. With all that said, we will look at the Top 10 stories of the 2011-12 school year for Bethel athletics over the next ten days (one each day). Today, however, will highlight the No. 2 moment in this year's Top 10.
 
Bethel volleyball reaches fourth-ever NCAA Tournament
Bethel University's volleyball team advanced to the 2011 NCAA Division III National Tournament for the fourth time in team history last fall. The Royals, who finished the season with a 23-10 record, defeated 12 of its final 15 opponents (including a win over No. 10-ranked Concordia) before entering the tournament, to punch its second ticket in the past five years.
 
The trip marked the fourth NCAA Division III Tournament in the team's history, as the Royals advanced in 1999, 2001, 2007, and 2012. With a first-round 3-0 victory over Northwestern College (Minn.), Bethel improved to 3-4 throughout its tournament tenure, however, BU fell in the second round to tournament hosts Concordia College.
 
Nicole Wriedt was awarded highly after the conclusion of the tournament with a selection to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Central Region Honorable Mention and the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament All-Region team.