NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Bethel University won three of their last four regular-season matches against league opponents to reach their fourth-straight MIAC Playoffs appearance, but their momentum came up just short Tuesday evening when falling to St. Olaf College in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament. The Royals (19-8, 7-4 MIAC) evened the match up at 1-1 after winning the second set 25-20, but the hosting Oles (22-10, 7-4 MIAC) won the third set 25-15 and held on for the 25-23 win in the fourth to secure the 3-1 victory.
 
BU hit .173 throughout the match, while St. Olaf finished right above at .195. The Royals collected 59.0 points on 47 kills, four aces, and eight blocks, while also posting 44 assists and 68 digs. Meanwhile, the Oles tallied 69.0 points on 55 kills, six aces, and eight blocks, while recording 54 assists and 75 digs.
 
Tina Hoppe garnered 12 kills and just one error in 36 chances (.306), while also finishing with 14 digs. Kristin Stern led the team with 13 kills and eight total blocks, while hitting .205 at the net. Freshman Macie Gavic and Maria Claflin also had strong performances with nine and eight kills, respectively.
 
Dominique Dabu tied a match high with 23 digs, while Brooke Olstad and Bailey Israelson each added 12 and 11. Israelson and Mikayla Morrow composed 28 and 13 assists.
 
Bethel's 2017 season comes to a close with the Royals finishing 19-8 overall. It was the sixth consecutive season that BU has secured 18 wins or more in a single season. The Royals also appeared in their fourth straight MIAC Playoffs. Bethel says goodbye to Emily Kukacka, Mikayla Morrow, and Kristin Stern, who each played in their final match.