Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bethel Royals' upset bid against the nationally ranked St. Thomas Tommies came up just short in a thrilling 3-2 match. The Royals took the #6 ranked Tommies to the edge before falling 15-5 in the fifth and final set. Amy Werner (Fr., Three Lakes, Wis.) had a big night for the Royals as she led the team with 17 points with her 13 kills, two solo blocks, and four block assists.

The Royals started the match with a bang, as they closed the first set with four straight points, taking the set 25-22. Up 24-20 in the second set, and about to take a two set lead, the Tommies came from behind by way of a 7-1 run to win the set 27-25 and tie the match at one apiece. The Tommies took the third set 25-19 in similar fashion as they scored the last seven points to finish the set. Down but not out, the Royals fought back and never trailed in the fourth set, winning 25-21 and forcing a fifth and final set. Unfortunately for the Royals, the Tommies were ranked number six for a reason, as the Tommies jumped out to a 7-0 lead and took the set 15-5, winning the match 3-2.

Kelly Otto (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Nicole Wriedt (So., Pewaukee, Wis.) each had 11 kills as well as eight and five blocks respectively. Betsy Naatjes (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) had 39 assists, three aces, and eight digs, and Valerie Smith (Fr., Alexandria, Minn.) finished with 28 digs on the night.

The Royals fall to 5-9 (0-4) on the year, with six of those losses coming against ranked opponents, while the Tommies improve to 13-2 (4-0). The Royals will be back in action Friday, October 2, as they head to the Crown College Triad where they are scheduled to face Northland College (Wis.) and Crown College. The first match is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.