Claremont, Calif. — Bethel University's volleyball team started the 2017 season with a bang Friday afternoon thanks to a pair of 3-1 wins at the Pacific Coast Classic. The Royals (2-0, 0-0 MIAC) knocked off Chapman University 3-1 in the season opener and turned around to beat Pomona-Pitzer on their home court by the same score in the very next match.
 
BU dropped the opening set to Chapman by a final tally of 25-22, but rebounded quickly with 25-18, 25-14, and 25-23 victories in the second, third, and fourth frames. The Royals finished the match hitting .278 as a team with 57 kills, 17 errors, and 144 total attacks. In addition to their 57 kills, Bethel also scored on six aces, five blocks, and 22 Chapman errors.
 
Newcomer Maria Claflin led BU with 14 kills and just three errors in 24 attempts (.458), while fellow freshman Macie Gavic posted 10 kills and one error in 19 attempts (.474). Also playing exceptionally well at the net was Tina Hoppe (12 kills, one error, .297 attacking percentage) and Kristin Stern (10 kills, three errors, .280 attacking percentage).
 
Leading Bethel from the back row was Dominque Dabu, who tallied 18 digs and three service aces, along with Tina Hoppe and Brooke Olstad, who each finished with 10 digs. Mikayla Morrow manufactured a match-high 28 assists and two kills, while Bailey Israelson was right behind with 20 assists and one kill.
 
Stats were not posted yet for the second match of the day against Pomona-Pitzer.
 
The Royals will closeout the Pacific Coast Classic with two more matches Saturday in Claremont, California. They begin with a 1:15 p.m. CT contest against Occidental College and end with a duel against Union College at 5:45 p.m. CT. Live stats and video are available for both matches and can be seen here.