Box Score Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University volleyball squad overcame a 2-0 deficit against St. Olaf College Wednesday evening, yet suffered a 20-18 defeat in game five to lose the match 3-2. The Royals (7-2, 0-1 MIAC) had late leads in all five games, but were not able to capitalize at in the end of each set.

Bethel came out of the gates strong in opening game, as Cierra Nickel (So., Sanborn, Minn.) helped serve the Royals to a 5-0 lead, but the Oles never backed down. After evening the score at 7-7 St. Olaf went ahead 16-12 on a Kelly Heissel kill. BU battled back nicely on a 6-2 run, but scored once the rest of the set and fell 25-19.

The Royals had to come from behind again in the second game, as BU trailed 7-11 early on. Bethel used a forceful attack to go on a 12-4 run, however, the Oles closed out the game with a 10-1 run of their own to burry BU under a 2-0 deficit.

Head coach Gretchen Hunt and her squad would have no more in game three. Bethel clawed back again throughout the set, as the Royals trailed 8-11 early on. BU stormed back with a 12-4 run again, yet closed the game strong with the help of a .256 attacking percentage, defeating St. Olaf 25-19.

There was no doubt the Royals weren't stopping until they got to a game five, as Bethel started the frame with an 8-0 run again behind Nickel's serving. Game four never got close, as the Royals finished the Oles 25-16.

Fans in attendance at the Robertson Center Gym got their money's worth in game five, as neither team was ready to give up. The game never awarded either team more than a two-point lead, and that alone only happened three times. Bethel led 9-7 and controlled the lead until St. Olaf went ahead 13-12 late. Side outs continued back and forth until the Oles got the last hoorah with the 20-18 victory.

Val Smith (Sr., Alexandria, Minn.) lead the defense with 33 digs throughout Wednesday night's competition. Caitie Helle (Sr., Onamia, Minn.), Nicole Ackatz (Jr., Elkhorn, Wis.), and Amy Baumetz (Sr., Three Lakes, Wis.) all had double-digit kills throughout the five games. Helle led with 14, while Ackatz had 13 and Baumetz 12. Cierra Nickel paced Bethel with 49 assists, which is the setter's fourth 40-plus match in her last five matches.

Bethel was out attacked as a team, as the Oles tallied 63 kills opposed to the Royals' 58.  BU did out-block St. Olaf 16-14, which can be credited to Callie McKown (Fr., Plymouth, Minn.), who amassed five blocks, along with Baumetz and Helle, who each had four.
 
The Royals travel to Mt. Vernon, Iowa this weekend to take part in the Cornell College Classic. Throughout the two-day tournament Bethel will compete against Wartburg, Cornell, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Platteville.