traileARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Behind a career-high 19 kills from junior outside hitter Kirstin Cotter, the No. 21st-ranked Bethel University volleyball team opened MIAC play with a convincing three-set victory over Concordia Moorhead, 25-12, 25-15, 25-8.
 
Cotter hit .607 for the night with two errors on 28 attempts. Hannah Wilhite tallied 39 assists while Kelsie Sealock led all players with 22 digs. For the match, BU hit a season-best .416 knocking down 53 kills.
 
The only time Bethel trailed came at 1-0 after surrendering the opening point of the night. A six-point stretch capped out by a kill from Danielle Friedges opened the lead to 13-5. A continual attack at the net gave BU the opening set where six different Royals tallied a kill.
 
BU came out strong in the second taking a 7-1 advantage. The Cobbers pulled back within one but a kill from Allie Fauth ended the Concordia run. 20 of the 25 points in the second set for BU came via a kill where Cotter had nine of her 19.
 
The third set saw the Royals hit .667 with 19 kills on 27 attempts and only one error. BU scored 14 of the first 15 points in the set continuing to feed Cotter. Her eight kills highlighted the third set where BU denied Concordia the opportunity to rach double digits.
 
Bethel hits the road this weekend for three matches at the Pointers Invitational. The Royals open up against the hosts, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, at 3 p.m. Friday before taking on No. 14 Millikin that evening at 7 p.m.