FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Following a convincing win in their season opening match, the Bethel Women's Volleyball team travelled this past weekend to Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon to take part in the Boxer Invitational, where they finished the weekend with a 2-3 record.

Looking to build upon their first match of the young season, the Royals fell at the hands of Willamette University on Saturday 0-3 in three hard fought sets. Bethel received significant contributions from Nicole Wriedt (Jr., Pewaukee, Wis.) who finished the match with 11 kills. Betsy Naatjes (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Kate Smith (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn.) each finished with double-digits assists, as Naatjes collected 19 while Smith finished with 11.

Taking place later that afternoon, Bethel took on Nebraska Wesleyan University in an attempt to rebound from their previous match. After falling behind in the first two sets, Bethel took the third set 25-19. Despite pushing the match to a fourth set, the Royals, unfortunately, couldn't muster up enough, as they lost 1-3. Wriedt and Caitlin Helle (Fr., Onamia, Minn.) led the Royals with 11 kills apiece. Hannah Parks (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Valerie Smith (So., Alexandria, Minn.) both had a considerable amount of defensive digs, with Parks finishing with 14 and Smith with 21.

In the nightcap of Saturday's festivities, Bethel came out strong as they confronted host team Pacific University. Taking only three sets, the Royals downed Pacific to take home their first victory of the tournament. Helle once again led the team with 11 kills. Amy Werner (So., Three Lakes, Wis.) finished with 8 kills herself, with Naatjes tacking on 29 assists.

The Royals good play followed into Sunday mornings match against SUNY Oneonta where Bethel trounced any thoughts the Red Dragons had of winning, when they took the match 3-1. This time it was Werner who led the team in kills with 12. For the third consecutive match, Helle finished with 11 kills.

Entering into the fifth and final match the Royals looked to finish the invitational with a winning record when they took on Linfield College. Bethel couldn't contain Linfield's attack as they lost 0-3. Smith finished the match with 20 defensive digs. Werner and Helle led the offensive attack as both recorded 8 kills.

The Royals travel back home and will take on Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato on Wednesday night, where they will put their 3-3 record to the test when they take on the Vikings. The match will start at 7 p.m.