Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

WAVERLY, Iowa—Bethel University's volleyball squared off against its second consecutive opponent that was ranked in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll Friday afternoon, as they faced Elmhurst in the opening match of the Wartburg Tournament. The Royals (9-10, 2-3 MIAC) not only fell to No. 6-ranked Elmhurst (18-1) 3-0 (16-25, 22-25, 13-25), but also fell 3-1 (25-27, 15-25, 25-12, 21-25) to Carthage College (13-8) in the second and final match of the day.
 
The opening match against Elmhurst proved to be exceptionally difficult for Bethel, as the team finished with a .117 attacking percentage, seven serving errors, and just 33 digs.

Freshman Carlee Hoppe recorded the most kills for the Royals, totaling seven in the contest, while sophomore Claire Assam finished with six in 14 attempts. Hoppe and Kali Johnson each managed eight digs, while Katie Lubben and Hannah Grow each tallied five. Lubben and Ashlyn Hucky finished with 10 and 14 assists, respectively.

The Royals appeared to have a short memory, as they played highly competitive against Carthage College in the second match Friday, but the Redmen were too much in the end.
 
Bethel was knotted with Carthage throughout the first game, but at 25-25, Carthage recorded the final two points to secure the victory in the opening set. The Royals dropped the second set before owning the third set 25-12, however, Carthage secured the match with the final four points in the fourth and final frame—leading to a 25-21 win.
 
Hoppe was the team lead again in the second match, finishing with 14 kills, but just a .191 average, while Claire Assam finished with seven in 14 attempts (.500). Ashlyn Hucky went for 28 assists in the match, while Carlee Hoppe and Kali Johnson recorded 18 and 16 digs, respectively. Overall, Bethel finished with 67 digs in the match.
 
The Royals take on two opponents from the IIAC Saturday in day two of the Wartburg College Tournament, as they face Luther College at 10 a.m. and Coe College at 2:30 p.m.