Box Score  | [VIDEO]: Cierra Nickel | Caitie Helle 

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Bethel University's volleyball squad made it two wins in a row Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 win over Hamline University at the Robertson Center Gym. The Royals exploded in the first game 25-11, however, the Pipers made it close the rest of the match, taking the second game 27-25, and dropping the third 25-18 and the fourth 25-23.

BU had a block party against Hamline Saturday in the 3-1 victory, as the Royals tallied 13.0 blocks compared to the Pipers 3.0. Caitie Helle (Sr., Onamia, Minn.) was a big part of Bethel's success, finishing the day with one solo block and five assists, alongside 14 kills and a .286 attacking percentage. Nicole Deberry (Fr., Libertyville, Ill.) followed up Friday's eventful night with 16 kills and a .293 attacking mark while having her hand in seven blocks.

Cierra Nickel (So., Sanborn, Minn.) continues to play at a high level as she posted her ninth match of the season with 40-plus assists. Saturday's 48 is the second-most assists the sophomore setter has posted throughout her career, with her first being 49 against Linfield College earlier this season.
 
Also contributing greatly for the Royals was Nicole Ackatz (Jr., Elkhorn, Wis.), who managed 15 kills and a .343 attacking percentage. Saturday's match was Ackatz's second straight match hitting over .340 and her sixth match of the season with a .300-plus mark.

In addition, Val Smith (Sr., Alexandria, Minn.) tallied 29 digs and three service aces.

The Royals will attempt to make it three in a row Wednesday evening as they travel to Minneapolis to take on the Auggies for a 7 p.m. matchup.