Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—An electric gymnasium and energetic Royals squad were highly advantageous Friday night, as Bethel finished the opening day of the 2013 Invitational unbeaten. BU defeated Martin Luther College 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-23), before upending St. Olaf College in three games (25-21, 25-18, 25-11).

In the Royals home opener, BU took advantage of the weary Knights, who just finished a five-set match against St. Olaf in the first contest of the day. A team .385 hitting percentage in the first set and 42 total assists were just part of Bethel's success. Senior Nicole Ackatz fired 15 kills and a .364 attacking mark, while freshman Carlee Hoppe totaled 14 blasts and a .306 percentage.

Freshmen Ashlyn Hucky and Katie Lubben shared the setting role—tallying 42 assists collectively—while Kali Johnson led the squad with 14 digs.

Bethel refused to let the momentum stop after the opening match, as the Royals put the pedal to the medal in the second—defeating St. Olaf 3-0. Ackatz and Hoppe both tallied double-digit kills yet again, as Ackatz mirrored her 15 in the first with 15 more in the second and Hoppe went for 10 in Friday's closer. Ackatz improved her percentage to .429, along with two blocks, while Hoppe cleared the .300 mark with a .320 average.

Johnson managed 10 digs for the Royals, while Hucky led the team in assists with 21. Overall, Bethel kept the Oles from a double-digit kills leader, as Molly Nelson reached nine kills.

Improving to 4-2 on the season, Bethel looks to continue its momentum Saturday, as they will face both Concordia-Moorhead and Nebraska Welseyan. NWU was the only other team to finish undefeated Friday, and is 6-0 on the season. For more details about other matches go to the 2013 Bethel Invitational homepage.

Game times are scheduled for noon and 2 p.m. tomorrow.