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MOORHEAD, Minn. – With the hope of making the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament doubtful one week ago, the Bethel University volleyball team left no doubt that they belonged Friday night as the Royals defeated Northwestern College 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-21). BU displayed one of its best matches of the season, considering the .300 attacking percentage Bethel carried the entire match.

In the first set the two teams looked comparably equal, as the two opponents were tied 14 times and exchanged the lead six.  The Royals were down early when Northwestern owned the 6-3 advantage, however, BU clawed back to grab a 10-9 lead. Bethel looked to be in control with a 19-17 lead until the Eagles came back and tried to put BU away when leading 24-22. The Royals rallied, though, capturing four straight points to win the opening set 26-24.

BU outhit NWC in the first, claiming a .262 attacking percentage opposed to Northwestern's .227. The Royals were led by Nicole Wriedt (Sr., Pewaukee, Wis.) with six kills and a .429 attacking percentage. Kate Smith (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) assisted ten attacks and Valerie Smith (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) posted eight digs.

The second set continued to demonstrate the equality of play in the two squads, as Bethel was tied with Northwestern until 13-13. From that point on the Royals rattled off four straight points, which would prove to be the four points that separated the two in the end of the second when BU defeated the Eagles 25-21.

Bethel's attack was simply automatic in the second frame, posting a .406 attacking percentage as a team. Smith had a .455 attacking percentage with six kills, followed by Wriedt and Caitie Helle (Jr., Onamia, Minn.) who recorded a .444 and .429 attacking percentage with eight and four kills, respectively.

Northwestern jumped to the initial 8-5 lead in the third set, but four straight digs from Haley Toter (Sr., Park Ridge, Ill.) aided Bethel to a 10-2 run. With a 15-10 lead Bethel kept its foot on the gas pedal all the way to a 25-21 third set victory, which proved to be enough in the 3-0 match.

Bethel posted a greater attacking percentage in every set as BU held the .250-.135 advantage over NWC in the third. In the three frames Nicole Wriedt led all Royal attackers with 13 kills, marking a .429 attacking percentage. Kate Smith played exceptional as well, recording a .438 attacking percentage on nine kills. She also tallied 31 assists and seven digs. Junior Caitie Helle manufactured three digs and seven kills, with a .267 attacking percentage. Nicole Ackatz (So., Elkhorn, Wis.) played a significant role in tonight's matchup as well, firing five powerhouse kills alongside a .286 attacking percentage.

Valerie Smith was a rock for Bethel on the defensive side, comprising 16 total digs as well as three set-assists.

The Royals will square off at 6 p.m. Saturday against Concordia College, who defeated the University of Wisconsin-Stephen's Point in Friday's final match of the day. Bethel was the only team that defeated Concordia in MIAC play, beating the Cobbers 3-2 at Robertson Center Gym. Live video and stats will continue to be available here.