Box Score Box Score

ST. PAUL—After winning four of their last five matches, Bethel University's volleyball team had a wave of momentum pushing them down the final stretch of the regular season. Unfortunately for the Royals (13-15, 4-6 MIAC), though, St. Thomas quickly burst any positive energy Saturday night in a 3-0 decision. The No. 4-ranked Tommies (24-2,9-1 MIAC) used a .398 team attacking percentage and 42 digs to top Bethel 25-16, 25-20, and 25-13. As a result, Bethel's hopes of making its third consecutive postseason appearance were disbanded.
 
BU found themselves in a hole early, as the Toms went ahead 15-3 in the opening frame. The Royals wouldn't allow the same to happen in the second set, as they matched St. Thomas point-for-point until the very end, when UST went on a 4-0 run to close out the game. Trailing 2-0 in the match, Bethel offense struggled in the third set, which squashed any desire of overcoming the sizeable deficit.
 
Ashlyn Hucky led the Royals with 19 assists in the conference tilt. Her teammate, Katie Lubben also recorded six sets. Together the two helped Bethel finish with 31 kills, including 10 from freshman Carlee Hoppe as well as five from Nicole Ackatz, Callie McKown, and Kari Blom.
 
Kali Johnson amassed nine digs throughout the match, while Hoppe mustered six and Hannah Grow, five.
 
Bethel's final match will be against St. Olaf College next Friday at 7 p.m. The Royals MIAC matchup in Northfield, Minn., will be the closing contest of 2013 season, as Hamline University defeated St. Catherine Saturday to clinch the No. 6 seed in the MIAC Playoffs.