ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University volleyball team overpowered the visiting Cobbers from Concordia College with a .309 team attacking percentage, which led to a 3-0 victory at home Saturday afternoon. A sweep against the Cobbers was just what the doctor ordered for the Royals squad, who was looking to get back in the win column after suffering a 0-3 loss to Saint Mary's at Winona last Wednesday.
 
BU opened the match with a bang, hitting .524 throughout the first set. The Royals led 4-3 early, but a dominant 21-7 run throughout the rest of the game gave Bethel great confidence throughout the remainder of the contest.
 
That confidence was helpful for BU, as a 0-4 hole to begin the second frame didn't faze the Royals. Instead of crumbling, Bethel rattled off a 9-2 run that put them ahead for good. The Royals ended the set with a 25-19 win to go up 2-0.
 
The third game was a grind for each team, as the MIAC foes fought for every point. The Royals went ahead 12-6, but a 10-2 run for the Cobbers forced Bethel to fight back late in the set. The Royals did respond, overtaking Concordia down the stretch 25-23.
 
Katie Lubben set 35 assists throughout the match, alongside seven digs. Teammate Kali Johnson had eight digs and three block assists. Also joining Johnson in the block party was Kristin Stern and Nicole Deberry, who had six and four block assists, respectively. As a team Bethel finished with eight total blocks.
 
Deberry had a solid match offensively as well, finishing the matchup with nine kills and a .412 attacking percentage from the right side. Leading the way for the Royals offensively was Carlee Hoppe, who had 11 kills and a .308 hitting percentage and Tegan LaBerge, who hit .444 and 10 kills.
 
Bethel will host its second consecutive home match next Wednesday when the Scots from Macalester College come to the Robertson Center Gym for a 7 p.m. affair. For the Royals, who are celebrating homecoming week on campus, it will be their last home competition until October 24, when they face Hamline University.