ST. PAUL, Minn. – Bethel volleyball kicked off their 2018 season just down Snelling Avenue at the University of Northwestern's Kathryn Pals Invitational. The Royals (1-1) suffered a 3-1 loss to Wartburg College, who was receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Coaches' Poll, in Friday's opener, but came back to win a dramatic five-set thriller over No. 15-ranked Northwestern in the night cap. The Knights (2-0) and the Eagles (1-1) both participated in the NCAA Tournament one year ago. 
 
BU's loss to Wartburg came by final scores of 25-22, 17-25, 18-25, and 12-25. The Royals were limited to a .042 hitting percentage throughout the match with 45 points on 36 kills, five aces, and four blocks. Bethel also mustered 33 assists and 65 digs.
 
Hannah Wilhite's college debut resulted in 26 assists, 14 digs, and five kills. Dominique Dabu and Rylee Forshee stacked up 16 and 14 digs, while Tina Hoppe posted a team-high eight kills and nine digs.
 
Despite losing the first match of the year, Bethel came back to defeat UNW on their home court by final scores of 28-30, 25-23, 25-21, 18-25, and 20-18.
 
There were several dramatic moments as BU believed they had won the opening set 29-27, but a late net call evened the score at 28-28 and Northwestern recorded the next two points for a 30-28 victory. Bethel then trailed 16-19 (and 23-22) in the second set, but went on a 9-6 run after a timeout to win 25-23. The Royals then saw 5-10 and 10-13 deficits in the fifth and final frame, but clawed their way back to capture an unforgettable 20-18 triumph.  
 
Bethel finished the match with 86 points on 69 kills, five aces, and 12 blocks. The Royals also racked up 63 assists and 79 digs. Five players finished with double-digit kills, including Tina Hoppe, who wracked up 20 kills on 52 attempts (.308) and 10 digs. Brooke Olstad manufactured 13 kills and 14 digs, while Karin Canakes tallied 12 kills and an extraordinary 10 block assists. Macie Gavic recorded 10 kills on 21 attempts (.333) to go alongside five block assists and four digs. Maria Claflin rounded out the bunch with 10 kills five digs. Hannah Wilhite (42) and Bailey Israelson (13) combined for 55 assists and Dominique Dabu added 14 assists.
 
The Royals return to Northwestern on Saturday for two more nonconference matches against St. Norbert College and Buena Vista University. BU faces the Green Knights at 10 a.m. and the Beavers at 2 p.m. Live stats are available here.