ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – For the third time since 2015, the Bethel University volleyball team is set to clash with Gustavus Adolphus in the MIAC Championship match. The No. 19th ranked and second-seeded Royals earned their way into Saturday night's match with a four-set victory over third-seeded Hamline by scores of 25-23, 25-18, 16-25, 25-20.
 
Bethel had four players reach double digit figure in the kill column led by Kirstin Cotter with 17. Allie Fauth was right behind her with 16 while Danielle Friedges and Emily Rossing each added 12 and 11 respectively. Hannah Wilhite matched a career-high 53 assists while Kelsie Sealock added a match-high 22 digs.
 
The opening set was about as close as you could be with 11 ties and four lead changes. Bethel trailed by as many as five before storming back to tie it at 18-18. Tied four more times down the stretch, BU came away with the crucial first set victory with back-to-back kills by Allie Fauth.
 
A hot start for the Pipers in the second forced an early BU timeout. The Royals worked from behind again taking a lead and opening it up to 15-11. Hamline didn't let BU run away with it by any means but the Royals hung tough at the net scoring the sets final four points.
 
Hamline forced a fourth set after holding the Royals to a mere .068 hitting percentage in the third while hitting .256 themselves. Bethel bounced right back hitting .286 in the fourth and holding the Pipers to .077 with eight attacking errors.
 
A strong 10-4 opening start for BU in the fourth paced the way before Hamline took an eventual 15-3 lead. Kills across the entire front row of Cotter, Rossing and Friedges led BU on a six-point run where the gained the lead the rest of the way.
 
A kill by Fauth and then a block party with Cotter and Natalie Hallstrom let the Bethel faithful erupt celebrating the Royals victory.
 
Saturday's championship match against top-seeded Gustavus will take place in St. Peter at 7 p.m. Admission for adults is $10 while students with ID are $2.