Wheaton Box Score | UW-Whitewater Box Score

WHITEWATER, Wis. -The opening day of the UW-Whitewater Invitational concluded with the Bethel volleyball team sweeping Wheaton College 3-0, but then falling to No. 15-ranked Whitewater by the same score.

In the first match, the Bethel women defeated Wheaton College (Ill.) 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-20). Kelly Otto (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) led the Royals with 12 kills and 16 points. Besty Naatjes (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) contributed 23 assists and Brianna Falck (Jr., DeForest, Wis.) put together a solid performance with 7 kills and 9 points. The Royals were able to capitalize on Wheaton's 21 errors and make quick work of the Thunder in three sets.

The Whitewater match proved more difficult as the Royals fought hard but were unable to come away with a victory, dropping all three sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-19). The Royals were leading 15-9 in the first set before a five point rally led Bethel to take a time-out. It remained close for the remainder of the set, but the Warhawks put together two consecutive points to take the first set. In the third set, the Royals led again at 10-7, but were unable to hold onto the lead and Whitewater closed out the final set with four consecutive kills. Leading the way for the Royals was Otto with 11 points and Naatjes with 24 assists.

The tournament continues tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. when the Royals take on Marian University (Wis.).