Box Score ST. PAUL—Bethel University kept its MIAC Playoff aspirations alive and well Tuesday night, as the Royals (16-9, 6-5 MIAC) closed out their conference schedule with a sweep over Macalester. BU wasted no time and defeated the Scots (9-17, 1-9 MIAC) by a final score of 25-16, 25-12, and 25-19.
 
Bethel posted an exceptional performance, statistically speaking, finishing the night with 61.0 points on 48 kills, two aces, and 11 blocks. The Royals also recorded 42 assists and 78 digs throughout the three frames. BU's strongest set was the first, as the team finished Tuesday's opener with 19 kills and two errors in 51 attempts (.333).
 
Carlee Hoppe led the Royals with a match-high 13 kills and 18 digs, while sister, Tina Hoppe, was right behind with 12 kills and 16 digs. Also playing well was Callie Sinclair and Brooke Olstad, who each composed seven kills. Sinclair hit .304 and mustered 11 digs.
 
Holly Ellwanger and Katie Lubben both executed Bethel's game plan well from the setter position. Ellwanger had a match-high 21 assists and seven digs, while Lubben had 18 assists and nine digs.
 
Bethel will know a lot more about their postseason fate after tomorrow night, as a Carleton loss makes BU a lock for the 2016 MIAC Playoffs. Should the Knights defeat Saint Mary's, though, Bethel would need the Cardinals to lose to Gustavus on Saturday, October 29. The Royals finish their season with a pair of nonconference contests at UW-Whitewater Saturday, taking on Millikin at 4 p.m. and UW-Whitewater at 6 p.m. Both teams are regionally ranked in the Midwest Region.