ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—It was heartbreak hotel for the Bethel University volleyball team Wednesday night, as their 2015 MIAC opener was spoiled by Gustavus Adolphus College. The Royals had an opportunity to win games one and two, but the Gusties overpowered the home team in both sets and took the match 3-1.
 
BU led Gustavus 22-19 in the opening set, but GAC went on a 5-1 run that gave them set point at 24-23. The Royals clawed their way back to a 26-25 lead, but allowed the Gusties three straight points and the first-set win.
 
The second set was similar to the first with both teams going back and forth with the lead. Trailing 21-23, Bethel evened the score at 23-23 and threatened to go ahead, but an attack error gave Gustavus a 24-23 advantage. The Royals evened the score at 25, but GAC coerced BU into two attack errors to go ahead 2-0.
 
Despite the deficit, Bethel came back with vengeance in the third frame. The Royals stormed out to an 11-6 lead thanks to several aces from Katie Lubben. They then pushed their lead to 24-14 with an 8-0 run and closed out the Gusties 25-15 in game three. Fatigue set in during game four and Gustavus's adjustments proved to be too much for the Royals, which gave the game and the match to GAC.
 
Bethel hit .140 throughout the match, with 54 kills, 30 errors, and 171 total attempts. A rare occasion, BU was out-blocked by Gustavus 7-12, but bested the Gusties in digs (73-69), assists (51-47), and aces (5-4).
 
Katie Lubben finished the match with 41 assists and 11 digs, while Kali Johnson posted a season best 27 digs. Carlee Hoppe led all players with 16 kills, alongside her 14 kills. Tegan LaBerge was just behind Hoppe with 15 kills and three block assists. Nicole Deberry finished the match with nine kills and three block assists.
 
The Royals will look to rebound this weekend when they travel to Kenosha, Wis., for a very competitive Carthage College tournament. Not only is Carthage ranked No. 8, but Elmhurst is No. 14 and the University of Chicago is No. 13. Bethel begins with the tournament hosts at 4 p.m. on Friday.