BOX SCORE | POST-GAME INTERVIEW | HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

MOORHEAD, Minn. – After posting a .300 attacking percentage one night earlier the Royals were only able to muster a team attacking percentage of .067 in the match against Concordia College Saturday evening. Bethel hung tough and had opportunities to route the Cobbers in each set, yet Concordia overcame each lead BU held and defeated the Royals 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-18). Throughout the three-set match the opponents interchanged the lead seven times, including six being in the second frame.

After having its only MIAC loss handed to them by the Royals in the 2011 campaign, the Cobbers came out hungry to return the favor to Bethel in the NCAA DIII Tournament. The first set showcased Jenna Green of Concordia, who tallied six kills and seven digs. Bethel combated the Cobber effort with Nicole Wriedt (Sr., Pewaukee, Wis.), who tallied four kills herself, alongside Caitie Helle (Jr., Onamia, Minn.), who mustered three kills. Kate Smith (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) recorded eight set assists, however, it wasn't enough as Concordia never allowed Bethel to taste the lead in the first set. At one point Bethel was down 17-9 and the Royals looked to be making its move with a 9-2 run, yet BU could only manage five ties in the set, falling 25-23.

In the second set BU grabbed its first lead of the match when the scoreboard read 7-6, yet the two teams steadied themselves throughout the next several rallies. In the second set alone the two opponents totaled ten tie scores and six lead changes. Bethel carried a narrow lead late, but the Cobbers ate up the home crowd advantage and plunged ahead of the Royals in the end 25-22. BU struggled against Concordia's defense in the second, as the team tallied a .024 attacking percentage. Wriedt added three more to her resume, alongside Amy Werner (Jr., Three Lakes, Wis.) who added four. Smith tallied ten assists in the second as well as two kills.

Concordia came out even more aggressive in the third, claiming the 6-1 advantage early. The Royals went on its own 4-0 run, but CC was unbreakable. The closest Bethel came was when trailing 20-17 late in the set, but it wouldn't be enough as the Cobbers finished the third ahead 25-18.

Nicole Wriedt led the Royals for the second night in a row with eight kills. Junior Amy Werner finished with six kills and four digs, while Caitie Helle managed five kills and a .308 attacking percentage. Kate Smith tallied 21 set assists, five kills, and four digs for the Royals.

Junior libero Valerie Smith (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) hustled to accumulate 21 digs, while posting two sets and one service ace. Mallory Rundquist (So., Kasson, Minn.) and Rachel Bloom (So., Plymouth, Minn.) both contributed a solid effort defensively with 12 kills each.

Bethel University finishes its season 23-10 after advancing to its fourth NCAA Division III tournament. The Royals are now 3-4 in the NCAA tournament over its entire program history, after a win over Northwestern College and a loss to Concordia.