Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Royals' volleyball team ignited its home fans Saturday night with a 25-23 win in game one over the No. 7-ranked Tommies, but Bethel was unable to sustain it going forward and dropped the final match of the regular season 3-1. The Royals (19-12, 6-5 MIAC) still make it into the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoffs, but will be faced with playing on the road from here on out. The Toms (32-1, 11-0 MIAC) secure the No. 1 seed heading into the MIAC postseason and are crowned conference champions with the undefeated league record.
 
After an incredible first set performance, Bethel was running on all cylinders. However, trailing 17-18 in the second set, St. Thomas went on a 7-3 run that gave the Tommies the momentum going forward.
 
Caitie Helle (Sr., Onamia, Minn.) was outstanding for Bethel Saturday evening, finishing the her final regular season game with 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .242. Helle's middle block counterpart Amy Baumetz (Sr., Three Lakes, Wis.) finished with eight kills and accounted for 10 blocks. Baumetz, along with Kali Johnson (Fr., Tacoma, Wash.) and Nicole Deberry (Fr., Libertyville, Ill.), helped the Royals finish with 14 blocks at night's end.
 
Senior libero Val Smith (Alexandria, Minn.) ended the match with 16 digs, while Cierra Nickel (So., Sanborn, Minn.) recorded 30 assists and a service ace.
 
Despite the loss, Bethel ends the season as the No. 6 seed heading into the MIAC Playoffs. The Royals will face Concordia College Tuesday night in Moorhead, Minn.—a place the Cobbers handed BU a 3-1 loss earlier in the year. Bethel also has a eye on the NCAA Division III Tournament, as the Royals currently rank No. 6 in Midwest Region.