WINONA, Minn. – Freshman Danielle Friedges put down a career-high 16 kills while Kirstin Cotter tallied double-digit kill numbers for the second consecutive game with 14 in the Bethel University volleyball team's five-set loss, 25-15, 25-13, 21-25, 25-27, 12-15 to Saint Mary's Wednesday night.

Bethel on the night had 12 service aces, making it the most since its 13 at North Central on October 12, 2018. Hannah Wilhite accounted for four services aces, a career high, while Allie Fauth, Ellie Hoyt and Friedges each tallied two.

Bethel (2-1, 1-1 MIAC) stormed out of the gates scoring sixth of the first seven points in the opening set. The Royals let Saint Mary's (3-1, 2-0 MIAC) get no closer than eight on multiple occasions. A kill by Macie Gavic closed the set where BU hit .350 with 16 kills.

Things got even better in the second for the Royals hitting .481 at the net compared to SMU's .167. While it started out close, including the Cardinals leading 7-6, the Royals scored nine of the next 11 before taking the set 25-13.

SMU had already played in one five-set comeback a week ago and were up for the challenge again. Unfortunately for BU, the Cardinals delivered once again.

Having dropped set three, Bethel appeared as if it was going to close out the fourth leading 24-22 after a kill from Wilhite. SMU went on to score three straight points before a kill by Friedges knotted it up at 25-25. The Cardinals went on forcing a fifth set with back-to-back kills.

A five-point run in the fifth gave the Cardinals an 8-4 advantage. A margin that was too much for the Royals to overcome despite scoring three of the final four points in the match.

Having concluded their three-match road stretch to begin the season, the Royals begin a new stretch of five home matches next Wednesday, April 14 hosting Saint Benedict at 7 p.m. In accordance with MIAC spectator policy, fans will not be allowed at any volleyball matches this season. The games will be streamed live on the BU Royals Sport Network.