MORRIS, Minn. – For the third time in the last five all-time meetings the Bethel University volleyball team needed five sets to defeat the University of Minnesota-Morris. The Royals went down two sets to one before taking the final two sets by the narrowest margin winning it by scores of 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23 and 16-14.

Double digit kill efforts by junior Maria Claflin and freshman Kelsie Sealock led the Bethel attack where the Royals hit .261 for the match compared to Morris' .223. Freshman Emily Rossing added nine blocks while sophomore Hannah Wilhite added 31 assists. The Royals improve to 4-2 on the season while continuing the non-conference portion of their schedule Friday and Saturday hosting the Bethel Invitational inside the Robertson Center.

Bethel took the opening set 25-20 pulling away from the Cougars late in the first before dropping a tight second and third set 23-25 and 22-25.  The fourth set was just as tight eventually evening up 13-13. The Royals jumped out to a 20-17 lead before the Cougars made a rally to tie it up at 20. A kill by Claflin followed by a Morris attacking error kept Bethel's hopes alive forcing a fifth and decisive set.

It seem to be all Cougars in the fifth set as UMN Morris jumped out to a 13-9 lead. The Royals wouldn't let the quick start deter them from a comeback ringing off five straight points taking a 14-13 lead. A successful attacking attempt by UMN Morris tied it right back up at 14-14 before a déjà vu ending from set four with a kill by Claflin and a Cougar attacking error gave Bethel the deciding set 16-14.