Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Bethel Invitational Website

Stats: Game 1 | Game 2

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University continued its dominance on the hardwood in the early going of the 2014 season, as the Royals wracked up two more wins Friday evening on day one of the Bethel Invitational. The Royals, who were the first team to debut the newly renovated Robertson Center Gym for the home fans Friday night, improved to 5-1 on the season with a 3-1 win over Buena Vista University and a 3-0 victory over Martin Luther College.
 
Game One
 
In Bethel's 2014 home opener, the packed house was entertained by an exciting 3-1 victory over the Beavers of BVU. The Royals collected consecutive wins in the first two sets, and despite dropping the third 13-25, rebounded nicely with a 25-21 triumph in the fourth.  
 
Reigning MIAC Hitter of the Week, Kristin Stern, continued to showcase that her fast start to what appears to be an exceptional career was not a fluke. Stern hit .400 overall with 12 kills in 20 chances. Leading the way in the middle for BU was teammate Tegan LaBerge, who collected 13 kills and averaged .407. The transfer from Drake also had a pair of blocks.
 
Two other Royals amassed double-digit kills, including Nicole Deberry and Carlee Hoppe, who each had 10. Kali Johnson also contributed nicely with a stuffed stat line of six kills, three aces, and 13 digs.
 
Setter Katie Lubben, who was also honored by the MIAC as the setter/libero of the week, accumulated 46 assists and six digs throughout the contest.
 
Game Two
 
47 team digs and a total group attacking percentage of .364 highlighted the Royals second win of the night. Paving the way for BU from the back was newcomer Courtney Sheets, who mustered 17 digs as Bethel's libero. Stern and LaBerge continued to shine, with eight and six kills, respectively, but also attacking percentages over .400.
 
Carlee Hoppe also had another outstanding performance at the net. The sophomore outside hitter finished the second match with 11 kills and a hitting mark of .500.
 
Lubben led the squad with 32 set-assists, however, four others combined for 12 assists, including freshman Mikayla Morrow, who tallied five in two sets.
 
Looking Ahead
 
The Royals return to the court tomorrow and will close out the Bethel Invitational with a pair of nonconference matchups against Nebraska Wesleyan and Principia. NWU has yet to taste defeat and is coming off of a 3-0 victory over a ranked Washington University-St. Louis last weekend. As the Royals look to hand Nebraska Wesleyan its first blow of the season, they'll also fight to protect their own five-game win streak. Match times are set for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.