WAVERLY, Iowa – The No. 21st-ranked Bethel University volleyball team saw its 2021 season come to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament falling to No. 3 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in three sets, 25-17, 25-16, 28-26.
 
The Royals conclude the year 23-7 overall posting a .767 winning percentage, the best winning mark since 1984. Bethel also finishes the season with a .230 hitting percentage which ties the program single-season record during the rally scoring era.
 
Kirstin Cotter led all players with 14 kills while Danielle Friedges added 13. Emily Rossing and Allie Fauth each added four kills in their final collegiate match. Hannah Wilhite added 29 assists and 13 digs.
 
Despite never leading in the opening set, Bethel was strong at the net hitting .256, but the Athenas hit .364 themselves taking the opener 25-17.
 
Bethel held a couple of early leads in the second going up 10-8 at one point. CMS used a couple of runs taking an eventual lead and holding on going up two sets to none on BU.
 
Bethel was right there again in the third where it got six kills from Friedges and five from Cotter. Never leading and trailing 19-11 the Royals clawed their way back into it as back-to-back service aces from Mina Wimmer put BU within three. Fending off match point on three occasions, BU got it to 24-24 where the first one to score two in a row would take it.
 
Despite a strong effort from the Royals at trying to force a fourth set, CMS scored the matches last two points ending the Royals incredible season.