ST. PAUL, Minn. – In the opening night of its 2022 campaign, the No. 20th-ranked Bethel University volleyball team ran into a pair of tough opponents at the annual Kathryne Pals Invitational hosted by the University of Northwestern inside the Erickson Center. The Royals dropped the season opener to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, who received votes in the AVCA Top 25 by scores of 25-22, 17-25, 25-17, 13-25, 13-15. BU then ran into UMAC powerhouse and No. 15th ranked Eagles as the hosts took it in three sets by scores of 16-25, 23-25, 15-25.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bethel vs. UWSP
• Bethel got the opening winning four the final five points while hitting .235
• The Royals kept it close early in the second set until UWSP went on a few runs growing its lead by as many as six before scoring the final three points
• After 14 ties and six lead changes through the first two sets, the Royals took the third set leading wire-to-wire and forcing UWSP to a negative hitting percentage
• An 8-0 run for Stevens Point in down the stretch allowed them to take the fourth set and force a decisive fifth set
• BU dropped a close fifth set – that included three lead changes and eight ties – despite hitting .350 compared to the Pointers' .182
Bethel at Northwestern
• Northwestern came out swinging hitting .375 in the opening set, while holding the Royals to .061
• A back-and-forth second set saw the BU lead as large as three at 19-16 before UNW tied it up at 20
• The Royals fought off two set points before UNW took a two-set lead in the match
• A kill from Cotter evened the third set at 12-12 before the Eagles went on a 7-0 run taking the lead for good
KEY PERFORMERS
Bethel vs. UWSP
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Kirstin Cotter - team-high 11 kills, 4 block assists
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Danielle Friedges - 9 kills, 10 digs
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Hannah Wilhite - 6 kills, 29 assists, 8 digs
Bethel at Northwestern
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Kirstin Cotter – team-high 11 kills, .227 hitting %
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Kelsie Sealock – 11 digs
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Mina Wimmer – 2 service aces
WHAT'S NEXT
The Royals wrap up the weekend tournament tomorrow vs St. Norbert at 11 a.m. and Coe at 1:30 p.m.
