STEVENS POINT, Wis. — The Bethel University volleyball team suffered their first loss of the 2017 season Friday evening at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Both teams were receiving votes in the latest AVCA Top 25 poll, but Friday night belonged to the Pointers as they handed the Royals a 3-0 setback by final scores of 14-25, 16-25, and 19-25.
 
BU manufactured 35 points on 30 kills and five blocks throughout the match, while UW-Stevens Point tallied 48 points on 40 kills, three aces, and five blocks.
 
Kristin Stern led Bethel with nine kills on 23 attempts, which resulted in a .304 hitting percentage, along with four block assists. Stern's sidekick middle blocker Maria Claflin posted seven kills on 14 attempts, which netted a .429 hitting percentage. Dominique Dabu had a team-high 16 digs and Mikayla Morrow tied a match-high 21 assists.
 
The Royals continue their road trip in Stevens Point with two more matches Saturday. Bethel faces Lakeland University at 10 a.m. and Ripon College at 2 p.m.