ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — With their backs against the wall, Bethel University's volleyball team came up clutch with a must-win victory over Augsburg University to continue the 2017 campaign.
 
The Royals (19-7, 7-4 MIAC) needed a conference win Saturday afternoon in order to make their fourth-straight MIAC Playoff appearance and they delivered, defeating the Auggies (18-10, 7-4 MIAC) at home by a final score of 3-1.
 
Following their win over Augsburg, BU later went on to defeat UW-River Falls by final scores of 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, and 25-17. Saturday's sweep not only secured a postseason berth, but it helped Bethel stay unbeaten in the Robertson Center Gym—finishing the year with a perfect 7-0 mark.
 
Bethel, who defeated Augsburg by scores of 25-20, 25-22, 28-30, and 25-19, hit .144 throughout the match, while recording 72.0 points on 56 kills, six aces, and 10 blocks. The Royals also posted 53 assists and 82 digs.
 
Tina Hoppe led BU with 16 kills and 15 digs, while hitting .229 throughout the afternoon affair. Kristin Stern notched 15 kills and seven block assists, while hitting .222. Maria Claflin tallied nine kills, while Macie Gavic and Brook Olstad each added seven.
 
Dominique Dabu finished with a team-high 27 digs in the back row, while Olstad amassed 20. Bailey Israelson led Bethel in assists, composing 28 and eight digs, while Mikayla Morrow posted 17 assists and seven digs.
 
Bethel hit .280 against the Falcons (19-15), while holding UW-RF to just .208. The Royals wracked up 67.0 points on 52 kills, eight aces, and seven blocks, while also accumulating 48 assists and 41 digs.
 
BU rested many of their upperclassmen, but several others stepped up and played exceptionally well. Maria Claflin composed 14 kills and five block assists, while hitting .357 throughout the match. Karin Canakes and Brooke Olstad rocketed 12 kills, while Macie Gavic manufactured seven kills and one error in 17 attempts (.353). Olstad led the Royals from the back row with 11 digs along with Rylee Forshee, who finished with nine. Allie Fauth and Dominique Dabu each posted eight. Bailey Israelson recorded a career-high 46 assists and a team-high four aces in the victory.

The Royals will now travel to Northfield, Minn., Tuesday evening for an MIAC quarterfinal matchup against St. Olaf College at 7 p.m. The Royals and Oles met once earlier in the year and it was St. Olaf that defeated BU 3-1 in Northfield on September 30.

MIAC VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals | Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. |
No. 6 Augsburg at No. 3 Gustavus | Live Stats | Video |
No. 5 Bethel at No. 4 St. Olaf | Live Stats | Video |

Semifinals | Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. |
No. 4/5 at No. 1 St. Thomas | Live Stats | Video|
No. 3/6 at No. 2 Saint Benedict | Live Stats | Video |

Championship | Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. |
High Seed Host | Live Stats | Video |