WINONA, Minn. – Playing in its third straight five-set match, the Bethel University volleyball team came out on top for the second straight time defeating Saint Mary's on the road in five sets. In a back-and-forth showdown BU rallied from down 2-1 winning by scores of 19-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-13, 15-8.
The win moves BU to 10-13 on the year. They keep themselves in the hunt for a MIAC Playoff spot sitting in a four-way tie for third in the standings at 5-4 with two conference matches to go.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
• The Royals jumped out to a 5-1 lead before a 5-0 run for SMU, aided by unforced Bethel errors, midway through put the Cardinals up 13-10.
• BU got within one a pair of times after that until the Cardinals pulled away at the end scoring five of the final six points in the set.
• The Royals were limited to nine kills in the set on 37 swings with seven errors for a .054 hitting percentage while Saint Mary's hit .188.
Second Set
• The Royals turned the tides quickly evening up the match at a set a piece. BU notched 14 kills in the second hitting .289.
• A kill from
Natalie Hallstrom built a 9-4 lead before the Cardinals rattled off eight of the next nine points taking a 12-10 lead.
• After a kill from
Brenna Stark got the Royals sideout, BU rode the serve of Stark for a seven-point run putting them back in front 19-14.
• A kill by
Marley Webb followed by a SMU attacking error gave BU the set 25-18.
Third Set
• Saint Mary's led wire-to-wire holding BU to a .028 hitting percentage.
• The Royals were within one a few times early, but SMU's two-point lead turned into six at 14-8 and they never looked back.
Fourth Set
• The fourth saw eight ties and one lead change. That change going in favor of BU as part of a four-point run that pushed them ahead 12-10.
• A service error by SMU put the serve in the hands of Peyton Howe who had three service aces during a nine-point Bethel run.
Fifth Set
• No strangers to fifth sets recently, BU got ahead of the game this time garnering an early 5-1 lead in the decisive set.
• The Cardinals rattled off three straight getting within one but with a pair of kills from Howie, one from Friedges and a pair of SMU attacking errors, BU was in the driver's seat at 10-4.
• Bethel completed the comeback victory as Hallstrom and Howie added the game-winning block.
KEY PERFORMERS
•
Dani Friedges – 11 kills, 16 digs
•
Peyton Howie – 10 kills, .318 hitting percentage, 4 service aces, 2 block assists
•
Brenna Stark – 38 assists, 15 digs, 3 service aces
UP NEXT
The Royals will have their hands full Saturday night traveling to No. 18 and MIAC-unbeaten Gustavus Adolphus. First serve is at 7 p.m. in St. Peter.
