BOX SCORE

WINONA, Minn. - Nicole Wriedt (Sr., Pewaukee, Wis.) pulled her team to a 22-20 fifth set win over Saint Mary's on Wednesday evening, putting down a team high six kills and hitting .600 in the deciding set.  The performance helped her to tally a match high 23 kills in the win and surpass 1,000 career kills. Tonight's win keeps the Royals apace with three other teams on top of the conference standings with a 6-1 record (16-6 overall).

Bethel showed determined focus in fending off a fiesty Cardinals squad.  The Royals offense started the night slow, committing too many unforced errors and giving up the first set.  They bounced back to take a 2-1 set lead, getting all gears moving together for decisive 25-14 and 25-20 wins.  Wriedt, who entered the game with 982 career kills, was especially effective, with 11 kills in 19 attempts and just a single error in the winning sets.  Defensively, libero Valerie Smith (Jr., Alexandria, MInn.) gave the Royals what they needed to gain the momentum.  She led the back row in digs and cleaned up loose balls to save rallies.

The match gained interest as the Cardinals came back to win set four and forced the Royals to work to maintain a first place tie for the conference lead.  The deciding set, which plays to a score of 15 and must be decided by two points, was a knotted effort throughout.  Neither team ever led by more than two points and it took a final push by the Royals to finish with the 22-20 win. 

Tied up at 20-20, Wriedt took a feed from senior setter Kate Smith (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) and drilled down her 23rd kill of the evening to give the Royals their sixth match point of the night.  Smith refused to roll the tide back St. Mary's way and ended the marathon with an ace serve.  In the win, Bethel fended off several match points by the Cardinals to walk away as the victors.

Wriedt's offensive line read 23 kills and just three errors for a .444 hitting average.  She was the team's blocking leader as well, lining up for eight block assists.  Middle hitter Caitie Helle (Jr., Onamia, Minn.) had 14 kills and six blocks (3s, 3a), while outside hitter Nicole Ackatz (So., Elkhorn, Wis.) drummed up 13 kills.  Amy Werner (Jr., Three Lakes, Wis.) had 11 kills and seven blocks (1s, 6a).  Smith had a team high 25 digs, followed by Haley Toter (Sr., Park Ridge, Ill.) with 17.

The Royals swung for a .255 average on the night (72-23-192) and outpaced the Cardinals in blocks, 14-7.  Bethel's part in the 4-way tie for the MIAC lead is safe for the weekend, as they play four non-conference matches at the UW-Superior Tournament on Friday and Saturday.