Box Score

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. - Just four days after competing against two of the top teams in the country, the Bethel Royals returned to the court to begin their MIAC schedule. Unfortunately, the foe remained almost as equally formidable in the Saint Benedict Blazers, who have been picked to finish second in the conference in the preseason coaches poll.

Down 2-0, Bethel rallied to win a set, but was unable to sustain their momentum and lost by a score of 3-1 (11-25, 20-25, 25-21, 17-25).

Jennifer Stoa (Sr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) had 11 kills and a service ace to lead the Royals with 12 points. Kelly Otto (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) tallied nine kills as the next highest scorer.

Chelsie Sobiek led the Blazers with 10 kills, three service aces, and a block assist for 13.5 points.

Bethel's record falls to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in the MIAC. Saint Benedict improves to 10-3 overall and 1-0 in the conference. The Royals next opporunity to end their five-match skid comes a week from tonight on Sept. 24, when they host the Hamline Pipers at 7 p.m. in the Robertson Center Gym.