Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Tonight, the Royals looked to play the role of spoiler as they hosted playoff-contending Augsburg College at the Robertson Center. Bethel proved to be too much as they came from behind to take the match 3-2 from the Auggies, who entered the match with a slim lead for the fifth seed in the MIAC standings.

Augsburg, led by freshman hitter Amanda Unze, came out quick and took the first set 25-21. The Royals responded with great resilience and controlled the second set from the beginning. They took an early 8-2 lead that grew to 22-6, a deficit that Augsburg could not climb out of, and the home team ran away with a 25-11 win.

The Auggies showed that they were determined to hold down their playoff positioning and came right back at the Royals and took the third set 25-18. Fortunately for the Bethel fans, which included many Royal volleyball alumni back for Alumni Night, the Royals refused to back down on their home court and they took the next two sets 25-19 and 18-16 to cap off their impressive comeback.

Once again, Amy Werner (Fr., Three Lakes, Wis.) put together a dominating performance for the Royals as she compiled 19 kills and three of the team's four blocks. She was helped out by impressive nights from Nicole Wreidt (So., Pewaukee, Wis.) and Kelly Otto (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.). who turned in 16 and 13 kills, respectively.  Betsy Naatjes (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) continued to add to her assist total on the year by recording 51 of the Royal's 52 in the match.

With the win, the Royals improve their record 11-15 overall and 2-6 in MIAC play, while the Auggies drop to 16-12 overall and 5-4 in the MIAC.  The Royals will have a quick turnaround as they host Saint Mary's University at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in the Robertson Center.