Box Score

ST. PETER, Minn. - At the beginning of the day there were six teams tied for the conference lead in the standings at 3-1, including Bethel and Gustavus. After tonight's 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-19) shutout of the Gusties, the Royals were able to take a step in separating themselves from the pack.

Bethel and Gustavus played in a see-saw battle in the first set as the two teams exchanged leads several times. With the score tied 22-22, the Royals scored the next three points thanks to a kill from Amy Werner (Jr., Three Lakes, Wis.) a service ace from Kate Smith (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) and a kill from Nicole Wriedt (Sr., Pewaukee, Wis.). Wriedt would go on to finish the match as the leading scorer with 17 kills and two block assists for 18 points.

The second set played out much like the first with the Royals earning the final three points after being tied at 22 apiece. Caitie Helle (Jr., Onamia, Minn.) put the Royals ahead with a service ace, then finished the set off with a kill. In between, Nicole Ackatz (So., Elkhorn, Wis.) recorded one of her five kills on the night to set up the victory. Helle finished the match with four kills, the ace, and a block assist for 5.5 points.

Finally, in the third set, the Royals began to pull away after Gustavus closed in to within one point at 11-10 in favor of Bethel. From there, the Royals scored five of the next six points on their way to a six-point win and sweep.

Emily Phillips was the leading scorer for Gustavus with 10 kills and four block assists for 12 points, followed by Olivia Warren with 10 kills and two block assists for 11 points.

The win helps Bethel improve to 4-1 in the MIAC and 14-6 overall, while Gustavus drops to 3-2 in conference play and 13-6 overall. The Royals have little time to savor the victory as they come back to the metro area to take on Hamline University on the road tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, at 3 p.m.