Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University Women's Volleyball team took down the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons at the Robertson Center Wednesday night 3-1 in their season opening match.

The Royals controlled the first set of play jumping out to an early lead thanks to a series of kills by Amy Werner (So., Three Lakes, Wis.) who finished the first set with five. Kate Smith (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn.) and Betsy Naatjes (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) did their best in aiding Werner as both had a considerable amount of assists. Bethel would go on to dominate the first set 25-13

Moving into the second, the Falcons knotted up the score 1-1 when they took the set 19-25. For much of the set, it was a back and forth grind with neither team will to budge. It was until late that River Falls veered ahead and evened up the score.

The Royals refused to go down lightly though as they came from an early deficit in the third to regain the lead when they went on a 14-7 run to finish the third set and give themselves a 2-1 lead.

Staying with much of the theme throughout the match, the fourth set proved to be a back-and-forth battle with the Royals and Falcons exchanging blows several times. On the fringe of falling in the set, the Royals came up with some huge points to continue the match. An eventual Falcon attack error lead to the Royals fourth set victory 27-25, and win 3-1.

Werner finished the night with 21 kills while Nicole Wriedt (Jr., Pewaukee, Wis.) contributed 15 kills of her own. Bethel continues play this weekend when travel to Oregon to compete in the Boxer Invitational held in Forest Grove, Oregon.