Box Score MINNEAPOLIS—Drama, drama, drama.
 
That's what Wednesday night in Minneapolis was, as the Bethel University volleyball team upset top-seeded Augsburg College by a final score of 3-1. The Royals (18-10) handed the Auggies (18-9)—a team that finished the regular season 11-0 in conference play—a pair of 25-16 setbacks in the opening two frames before Augsburg cut the deficit with a 25-22 win in the third. That set up a dramatic fourth set, as the competing squads were tied an unbelievable 17 times throughout the final game.
 
BU grabbed an early 10-6 lead in the fourth and stayed in front until the scoreboard read 14-11. Augsburg then made a 3-0 run that evened the score at 14-14 and the two teams were inseparable until the very end when Bethel managed to win the final two points and defeat the Auggies 30-28. After leading 23-22 late in the frame, BU surrendered two straight points and as a result had to fight off four consecutive set points before getting back in control at 28-27.
 
Thanks to the Royals' memorable victory Thursday evening and a dramatic finish in the conference's other semifinal match (GAC overcame 0-2 deficit), Bethel will travel to St. Peter, Minn., Saturday night at 7 p.m. for a rematch of the 2015 MIAC Playoffs championship against Gustavus Adolphus College.
 
BU finished the match with 79.5 points on 59 kills, 11 aces, and 9.5 blocks, while also recording 98 digs and 56 assists. Meanwhile, Augsburg mustered 63.5 points on 54 kills, three aces, and 6.5 blocks. The Royals hit .183 as a team, including a .269 effort in the final frame.
 
Tina Hoppe was unstoppable, as the sophomore sensation hit .353 with 24 kills, three digs, and three block assists. Karin Canakes, Carlee Hoppe, and Callie Sinclair all added nine kills. Canakes led the team in blocks with two solo blocks and three block assists. Moreover, Hoppe and Sinclair posted 18 and 16 digs, respectively. Also having a solid performance was Emily Kukacka, who hit .267 with five kills and four block assists.
 
Libero Dominique Dabu saved a career high for the biggest match of her early career, as the freshman recorded an unprecedented 33 digs. Holly Ellwanger and Katie Lubben also performed well, as Ellwanger had a team-high 34 assists and 12 digs and Lubben posted 18 assists and nine digs.
 
The Royals championship appearance Saturday is their second in as many years. Bethel and Gustavus will be playing for an automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Division III Tournament, a place the Royals would love to return to after advancing to the Elite 8 one year ago.