ST. PETER, Minn.—After losing to Gustavus Adolphus 3-1 in the conference opener earlier this season, the Bethel University volleyball team hoped to get revenge on the Golden Gusties (27-2, 11-0 MIAC) and Saturday night's MIAC Championship looked to be the perfect opportunity. But GAC proved to the Royals (22-9, 9-2 MIAC) and to the rest of the conference that their regular-season title and 27-consecutive wins weren't a fluke, defeating BU at home 3-1.
 
The Royals appeared to be on cruise control in the first set, as they raced out of the gates with a 17-8 lead midway through the first. But a pair of GAC timeouts allowed the Gusties to make the necessary adjustments and eventually defeat Bethel, thanks to a 17-3 run.
 
Despite falling in game one, Bethel came out swinging again in game two. The Royals led 11-8 and were tied 20-20, but Gustavus claimed the second set with a 5-1 finish.
 
Trailing 0-2, Bethel still remained unfazed in the third frame. BU went on a 6-1 run to start the set, but the Gusties narrowed the gap again with a 5-0 run of their own. Both teams tallied a 4-0 run later in the game, but the Royals created breathing room for themselves late and finished with a 25-20 victory.
 
Bethel overcame a 7-10 deficit early in the fourth and had the match tied at 16-16. The two teams went back-and-forth until the Royals held a 22-20 advantage, but GAC boarded the comeback train once again and edged BU down the stretch 26-24.
 
The Royals finished with 71 points on 56 kills, eight aces, and seven blocks, while the Gusties recorded 70 points on 59 kills, five aces, and six blocks. Bethel posted 54 assists and 84 digs throughout the match, while Gustavus manufactured 53 assists and 88 digs.
 
BU hit .191 collectively, including a .382 hitting percentage in the third. Leading the way for the Royals was Tegan LaBerge, who finished with 16 kills, three blocks, and a hitting mark of .333.
 
Behind LaBerge was Tina Hoppe, who was credited with 13 kills, 15 digs, and three block assists. Tina's sister, Carlee Hoppe, collected nine kills, 14 digs, and three blocks. Kristin Stern gathered 10 kills and five blocks.
 
Katie Lubben led the Royals with 27 assists, alongside 11 digs, while Mikayla Morrow assisted 22 slams. Senior libero Kali Johnson led all players with 28 digs.
 
Following the match, three players were awarded with significant awards. Both Tegan LaBerge and Kali Johnson were honored to the MIAC All-Tournament Team based upon their performances this week. Additionally, Kristin Stern was given the MIAC's Elite 22 award, which recognizes a player in the MIAC Championship game with the highest GPA.
 
Bethel will wait till Monday to hear their postseason fate, when the NCAA hosts the Division III selection show at 10 a.m.