GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan—When Bethel University's head volleyball coach Gretchen Hunt was asked today what one word was to describe her team, Hunt said, "Resilient." The Royals (25-10) demonstrated that characteristic over and over during Thursday's quarterfinal match versus Hendrix College, but the Warriors (30-8) proved to be just a fraction better throughout the five-set thriller.
 
Bethel dropped the opening set 16-25, before gutting out a 27-25 victory in the second. The Royals trailed 24-25 in the game, but rallied to win behind a 3-0 run in the end. The third set may be the one that hurts the most, as BU led 23-19 late in the frame, but unfortunately lost 24-26. Bethel proved its resiliency once again, though, when winning the fourth set 25-19. Then with the Final 4 on the line, BU rallied from a 13-6 deficit in the fifth set, but fell in the end 13-15. 
  
The Royals scored 77 points on 60 kills, four aces, and 13 blocks, opposed to the Warriors, who recorded 78 points on 66 kills, zero aces, and 12 blocks. Bethel finished with an exceptional 128 digs, alongside 58 assists, while Hendrix posted 130 digs and 63 assists. BU hit .150 throughout the match, while Hendrix averaged a clip of .165.
 
Senior libero Kali Johnson ended her career with 44 digs, which sets a new individual record for her. Junior setter Katie Lubben led all players with 37 assists and 15 digs, while Mikayla Morrow added 16 assists.
 
The UW-Whitewater Region's Most Outstanding Player Carlee Hoppe slammed 18 kills throughout the match, while also picking up 20 digs. Carlee's sister, Tina Hoppe, was just as good, recording 12 kills, 22 digs, and a hitting percentage of .265. Tegan LaBerge was Bethel's third player with double-digit kills, logging 12 kills and three blocks.
 
Nicole DeBerry completed her BU career with nine kills, two blocks, and a team-high hitting percentage of .304. Deberry is one of four seniors that the Royals will say thank you to for an incredible career. Nicole Deberry, Hannah Grow, Kali Johnson, and Kristi Lauwers helped Bethel go 76-48 (.613) over the last four years with three MIAC Playoff appearances, one NCAA Tournament appearance, and one memorable Elite 8 run.
 
2015 marked many firsts and despite this match being Bethel's last, the Royals walk away with much to be proud of. This squad reached the program's first-ever NCAA quarterfinals and region championship. Moreover, BU's club reached the MIAC Championship and 25 victories for the first time in 15 years.