ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University volleyball team hosted the College of Saint Benedict Saturday afternoon for an MIAC matinee in the Robertson Center Gym. The Royals (10-6, 0-3 MIAC) and Blazers (7-7, 2-1 MIAC) battled to five sets—BU's third consecutive conference contest that went five—but despite leading 13-11 in the final frame, Bethel fell 16-14 and as a result lost by a final score of 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18, 14-16).
 
The Royals destroyed the Blazers statistically, as BU recorded 84 points on 67 kills, five aces, and 12 blocks, compared to CSB, who mustered 71 points on 62 kills, seven aces, and two blocks. Moreover, Bethel hit .209 throughout the match, while Saint Ben's was held to .168. Perhaps the biggest difference that favored the Blazers was from the service line, as CSB totaled seven aces and three errors, opposed to the Royals, who had five aces and six errors.
 
Tina Hoppe continued her sensational sophomore season, as the outside hitter amassed a match-high 24 kills and 11 digs, while hitting .333 throughout the match.  Right behind her was Callie Sinclair, who recorded 20 kills and 10 digs with a .183 attacking percentage.  Karin Canakes added nine kills and eight block assists.
 
Holly Ellwanger went off at the setter position, as the sophomore transfer posted a season-best 43 assists, 12 digs, three kills, and six block assists. Dominique Dabu had a match-high 26 digs.
 
The Royals get a little bit of a breather until next Friday when they travel to St. Catherine to play the Wildcats in St. Paul at 7 p.m. They then return home for a homecoming contest against Hamline University on Saturday, October 1 at 6 p.m.