BOX SCORES:
Bethel vs UW-River Falls
Bethel vs Northland

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Royals completed day two of their own tournament with two more victories as they defeated both UW-River Falls and Northland College. With the four tournament wins the Bethel women are now 7-3 on the season.

Against River Falls Caitie Helle led the Bethel offense with 16 kills, while Kate Smith had 41 assists. On the defensive side of the ball Valerie Smith had 22 digs as the Royals defeated the Falcons 3-1.

In their second game of the day Bethel face Northland College from Ashland Wisconsin. The Royals made quick work of Northland as they defeated them in straight sets 3-0, not allowing them to score more than 16 points in any set.

The Royals will open up play in the MIAC on Wednesday when they travel to Northfield to take on St. Olaf. The Ole's are currently 4-4 on the year.


All-Tournament team: as selected by coaches' votes throughout the tournament.

Bethel (4-0 record) - Kate Smith (Sr., Setter), Caitie Helle (Jr., MB), Val Smith (Jr., Libero)
UW-River Falls (3-1 record) - Erin Green (Jr., MB), Jean Theis (So, MB)
Carleton (3-1 record) - Sarah Nielson (Jr., RS), Jessa Youso (Jr. MB)
Martin Luther College (1-3 record) - Kayla Schoeneck (Fr., Setter)
Buena Vista University (1-3 record) - Lacie Drennan (Sr., OH)
Northland College (0-4 record) - none

Kate Smith finished the weekend with 140 assists (10.8/set), 20 kills (1.54/set), five blocks, 25 digs, and 6 aces, playing every point of the weekend for the Royals. This is her second All-Tournament team selection this year in as many tournaments. "Kate is playing at a very high level and is the reason that our hitters are having so much success," said Head Coach Gretchen Hunt. "We increased our hitting percentage almost .200 over last weekend, and while a lot of that is due to hitters making better choices, Kate is also putting them in good positions to score. She is a great leader and is working hard to get our offense going."

Caitie Helle led all players from Bethel on the weekend with 42 kills (3.23/set) and an outstanding .405 hitting percentage from the middle blocker position. She also tallied 6 blocks. "Caitie played fearlessly and this weekend, and worked really hard for her setter to always be available," said Hunt. "She is at her best when she is creative as an offensive player, and she was definitely that this weekend."

Val Smith led the Royals defensively with 54 digs on the weekend (4.15/set) and nine aces (.69/set). This is the first All-Tournament selection in 2011 for both Val Smith and Helle. "Val doesn't always get noticed because she is so consistent, but she has had a great start to this season," said Hunt. "But her consistent serve receive and her tough serving this weekend controlled the tempo of every match. We live and die by how she and our other ball control kids are playing, and this weekend Val, in particular, was really consistent."


Post tournament notes...

Bethel wins the tournament with a 4-0 record
UW-River Falls finishes in second as they tied Carleton with a 3-1 record, but beat Carleton head-to-head
Martin Luther finishes in fourth as they tied Buena Vista with a 1-3 record, but beat Buena Vista head-to-head
Northland finishes in sixth