WINONA, Minn. — The Bethel University volleyball team was excited to begin conference play after a 7-1 start to the 2017 season. But their excitement was spoiled by Saint Mary's University, as the Cardinals (7-3, 1-0 MIAC) handed the Royals (7-2, 0-1 MIAC) a 3-2 setback in Winona, Minn. 
 
BU came out with a 25-20 victory in the opening set, but SMU quickly tallied the equalizer with a 25-13 win in the second frame.  The pivotal third set looked to be going Bethel's way as the Royals led 20-17 and 21-19, but Saint Mary's went on a 5-0 run and went on to capture the 25-23 triumph. Despite losing the third set BU went on to win the fourth by a score of 25-20, which forced a decisive fifth set. The Royals led 4-1 early and 12-10 late, but the Cardinals closed out the match with a 5-1 run, which proved to be the difference in the end.
 
Bethel tallied 67 points on 50 kills, six aces, and 11 blocks, while also posting 46 assists, and 70 digs. The Royals hit .131 throughout the match, which included a .222 hitting percentage in the first set.
 
Brooke Olstad had a career-high 14 kills, to go along with 12 digs, three block assists, and a .263 hitting percentage. Kristin Stern and Karin Canakes each had nine kills and a combined 10 block assists. Maria Claflin finished with seven kills.
 
Dominique Dabu tied a match-high 20 digs, while Tina Hoppe recorded 15 digs and five kills. Bailey Israelson and Mikayla Morrow split the setting duties and it was Israelson that finished with 24 and Morrow with 20.
 
The Royals will try to quickly forget Tuesday's heartbreaker and move on to their next match at the University of Wisconsin-Stout on Friday, September 15. First serve is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.