Box Score Box Score

ST. PETER, Minn.—Carlee Hoppe's 16 kills and 18 digs paced Bethel in a big MIAC matchup Wednesday night. Hoppe's double-double helped the Royals (13-14, 4-5 MIAC) pick up their second consecutive win and sixth straight against Gustavus Adolphus College after tonight's 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-23) victory. The Golden Gusties (9-18, 3-6 MIAC), who recently took league-leading Concordia to five sets last weekend, were stifled by BU's defense—finishing with a team attacking percentage of .058.
 
BU nearly led the entire night, with the exception of early points in the first and third set. The Gusties tried to make it close in the third game—going on a 5-0 run near the end of the frame to tie the score at 22—but Bethel finished on a 3-1 run to close out the set and the match. The Royals strongest stretch came in the second game, when jumping out to an 11-2 start and closing the frame with a 6-2 run.
 
Bethel finished the conference tilt with a .179 team attacking percentage and 79 total digs. Kali Johnson led the Royals with 22 digs throughout the match, while Hoppe and Hannah Grow finished with 18 and 13 digs, respectively.
 
Teammates Ashlyn Hucky and Katie Lubben shared setting duties, with Hucky directing throughout the majority of the night with 24 assists. In addition to Hoppe, Hucky and Lubben were able to set up 11 kills for Nicole Ackatz and eight for right side hitter, Callie McKown. Between Hoppe, Ackatz, and McKown, the trio amassed 35 of the team's 42 total kills.
 
BU's hopes of a MIAC Playoff berth still remain possible, however, head coach Gretchen Hunt and her squad will likely have to win the remaining two games against St. Thomas and St. Olaf. The Royals and the Tommies will serve it up Saturday at 6 p.m. in St. Paul.