ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Win and you're in. It was all on the line Saturday night in the Robertson Center as the Bethel University volleyball team defeated St. Catherine in four sets earning the sixth and final spot in the MIAC Playoffs. The Royals won by scores of 25-21, 25-17, 22-25, 25-18 capturing its sixth consecutive MIAC Playoff berth which is tied with Gustavus for the longest active streak.

The Royals end the regular season at 17-10 overall and 6-5 in the MIAC. Appearing in its eighth MIAC Playoffs in nine seasons, BU heads to third-seeded Saint Benedict on Tuesday, No. 5. The quarterfinal matchup is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Three Royals reached double digits in the kill column led by junior Maria Claflin with 13. Junior Macie Gavic contributed 12 kills while sophomore Hannah Wilhite registered a double-double with 11 kills and 24 assists.

Going up two sets, the Wildcats scrapped a win in the third forcing the Royals to win in four. In a scrappy fourth set that saw long rallies and players diving for digs left and right, the teams opened it even at 11-11. From there Bethel took over expanding its lead to four at 19-15. The Wildcats tried to claw their way back in but a kill from Gavic and an attacking error gave Bethel the win they needed.

With nine ties in the opening set it all came down to the late rallies. Bethel took a 20-17 lead on long rallies that resulted in St. Kate attacking errors. BU ran away with it from there taking the opening set out hitting the Wildcats .243 to .054.
 
Bethel carried the momentum into the second set trailing once at the beginning. A balanced attack allowed them to hit .324 for the set going along with a 72 sideout percentage. SCU got within three but the Royals pulled away with a kill from Sealock and a service ace from Dominique Dabu.
 
The Wildcats opened the third with an 8-3 run as Bethel called a timeout to regroup. That didn't slow down St. Kate's rhythm at all opening up its lead to 15-7 forcing another timeout from the Royals. It was the second timeout that helped Bethel turned the tides going on a 7-2 run forcing a timeout from the Wildcats this time. It stayed tight the rest away with the Wildcats taking it 25-22 before BU pulled it out in the fourth.