ST. PETER, MN - Bethel Royals volleyball traveled to Gustavus University to participate in the Gustavus Triangular on Saturday. In their first match against their hosts, the Royals fell in four sets with scores of 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18. Losing to Gustavus bumps BU down in the MIAC standings as their conference record falls to 2-1. 

Immediately following that loss BU faced off against the College of Dubuque. In four sets Bethel won with scores of 25-19, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19. Dani Friedges led Bethel's offense with a career high 19 kills in the match as the Royals split the tournament 1-1. 

How it Happened

BU vs Gustavus

• After a competitive start, BU went on a 7-2 run in an attempt to break away

• GU battled back with several runs of their own, including a 4-0 run to take the first set

• Gustavus went on a 4-0 run to open the second set, which led to a Bethel timeout

• BU was forced to us their final timeout halfway through the set in an attempt to stop GU's growing momentum

• The Royals attempted to make a comeback but Gustavus's lead was too much to overcome

• A block from Abigail Drury broke a tie early in the third set

• After a long, back-and-forth set, both sides went on 3-0 runs to tie at 23 apiece

• Two errors by GU allowed Bethel to take the third

• Gustavus went on a 4-0 run to gain the lead in set four

• Bethel couldn't rally their offense in time to take back the match

BU vs Dubuque 

• BU broke an early tie with a 4-0 run that forced a timeout

• Dubuque fought back to within one point which forced Bethel to take a timeout of their own

• A 6-0 run in favor of the Royals quickly put an end to the first set

• Set two opened with two 3-0 runs in quick succession by Dubuque 

• Bethel bounced back with a 5-0 run to finally tie the set for the first time since the score was 2-2

• Dubuque outscored Bethel 14-6 in the remainder of the second set to tie the match 1-1

• Set three was competitive with 10 total tie scores

• Bethel had a narrow 3-0 run to set them ahead and allow them to take the third set

• The fourth set opened with a 3-0 run by Dubuque

• Bethel went on a 7-2 run to break out of the close game and allowed them to take the set

Key Performers

BU vs Gustavus

• Dan Friedges - season high 16 kills, 13 digs

• Hannah Wilhite - 39 assists, 7 digs

• Kirstin Cotter - 14 kills, 11 digs

BU vs Dubuque 

• Dani Friedges - Career high 19 kills, 10 digs

• Kirstin Cotter - 13 kills,  11 digs

• Hannah Wilhite - 43 assists

What's Next

Royals volleyball will travel back home to the Robertson Center to play their homecoming game against Carleton College on Friday Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.