ARDEN HILLS, MN - Bethel University volleyball team won both of its games on Saturday to go undefeated at the Region IX Invite. The Royals swept their first match against the Wartburg Knights with ease; the scores were 25-16, 25-23, 25-20. In the second match of the day Bethel defeated fellow MIAC opponent St. Olaf: 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 25-17. The Royals and Oles will meet again later this season for a conference battle.
How it Happened
Bethel vs Wartburg
- Bethel's unrelenting offense crippled Wartburg's defense
- BU's 22 team kills, stifled any attempt on Wartburg's comeback in set one
- The second set was competitive; five tie scores and Wartburg was never more than six points behind the Royals
- BU survived a late set push to take the second set by two points
- After four ties early in the third set, BU put together a 4-0 run to take a firm lead
- Hannah Wilhite led the Royals on a 5-0 run to keep set three out of Wartburg's reach
Bethel vs St. Olaf
- Set one was the closest that BU played all day with eight ties and four lead changes
- The Royals had several key blocks to stay ahead in first set - which was ultimately decided by Abigail Drury and Grace Solberg's block
- St. Olaf forced Bethel to take an early timeout after going up 6-2 in the second set
- A 9-2 run lead by Kirstin Cotter and Emily Rossing helped Bethel come back and even the score with the Oles at 16-16
- The Royals strung together a 6-0 run to take an initial lead in set three
- A late set momentum switch allowed St. Olaf to work back but it wasn't enough to take the third set
- Dani Friedges along with Rossing and Cotter, gave BU a boost with 12 combined kills to soar past the Oles and take the fourth set and match
Key Performers
Bethel vs Wartburg
Bethel vs St. Olaf
What's Next
The Royals travel to Moorehead, Minn. to challenge Concordia College on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
