ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Six days after a thrilling five set victory against Hamline, the seconded-seeded and No. 19th ranked Bethel University volleyball team is set to host the third-seeded Pipers Friday evening inside the Robertson Center for the MIAC Semifinals at 7 p.m. The Royals are encouraging all fans to wear their white Bethel gear for a WHITEOUT in the Robertson Center.
The winner advances to the MIAC Playoffs championship match Saturday night at 7 p.m. facing the winner of top-seeded Gustavus Adolphus and fourth-seeded St. Olaf
TICKET INFO
General admission for all spectators is $10 while students with ID are $2.
FREE admission will be offered to all Bethel University students with ID. Only MIAC issued passes will be accepted.
Doors open and tickets go on sale Friday at 5:30 p.m.
MIAC PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals | Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021
No. 3 Hamline 3, No. 6 Saint Benedict 2 |
Box Score |
Recap
No. 4 St. Olaf 3, No. 5 Augsburg 1 |
Box Score |
Recap
Semifinals | Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 | 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 St. Olaf at No. 1 Gustavus |
Video |
Live Stats
No. 3 Hamline at No. 2 Bethel |
Video |
Live Stats
Championship | Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 | 7:00 p.m.
Highest remaining seed hosts
ROYALS IN THE MIAC PLAYOFFS
Bethel is making its seventh consecutive MIAC Playoff appearance and 14th overall since the tournament's inception in 2000. The Royals hold an all-time conference playoff record of 12-14 including a championship title in 2001.
The Royals last semifinal appearance came in 2016 where they advance to the championship match before falling 3-1 at Gustavus Adolphus.
It will be just the second time that Bethel has been the two seed in the tournament. The other time came in 2005 where the Royals defeated third-seeded Saint Benedict before falling to top-seeded Gustavus in the championship 3-1.
AGAINST THE OPPOSITION
Last time these two teams met; a share of the MIAC regular season title was on the line. Bethel captured a thrilling five-set victory last Friday fending off Hamline comeback efforts after the Royals went up two sets to none.
It will be the first time the Royals and Pipers clash in the MIAC Playoffs. BU holds the lead in the all-time series 29-4 and his currently on a nine-match winning streak. Bethel is 11-2 in matches played in Arden Hills.
ROYALS IN THE POLLS
The Royals climbed up in the AVCA Top-25 polls earning a No. 19th ranking this week. Bethel has been in the top 25 for eight straight weeks after jumping into the No. 24 spot in week two on Sept. 14.
The latest regional rankings have Bethel at No. 4 in Region IX. Above them one through three is Wartburg (25-0, Northwestern (27-3) and Gustavus Adolphus (24-5). The Royals boast a .576 strength of schedule which is the third toughest in the region and is 3-5 against regionally ranked opponents.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
One of the top setters in the nation,
Hannah Wilhite averages 10.59 assists per set which ranks ninth nationally and leads the MIAC. Her 985 assists rank 16th nationally as she looks to break the 1,000 mark for the second time her in career. She currently is only the third player in program history since 2012 to have at least one season of 1,000 assists.
As a team, the Royals are 12th nationally and lead the MIAC averaging 13.49 kills a set. The brick wall in the front row has the Royals 13th nationally and first in the MIAC at 2.10 blocks per set.
Abigail Drury leads the squad ranking 32nd nationally at 1.03 blocks per set.
Emily Rossing and
Kirstin Cotter aren't too far behind with a 0.82 and 0.79 mark respectively.
