PELLA, Iowa – The Bethel University volleyball team opened their 2024 season on Saturday afternoon traveling down to Pella, Iowa for a pair of games. Winning their first matchup of the day with Westminster College 3-0 by scores of 25-18, 25-18 and 25-22. Earning their first win of the season. The Royals fell to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in game two 3-0, by scores of 27-25, 25-19 and 25-12.
Game one:
Set one was tight early on with the score tied at three, but a 11-4 run by the Royals gave them a 14-7 lead. Going on to take the first set 25-18.
Bethel came out strong in set two, taking an early 7-4 advantage. The Royals eventually fell behind 11-10, tying the game at 14 and going on a 8-2 run for a 22-16 advantage. Winning the set 25-18.
Set three was a back-and-forth battle with five lead changes. Up 23-22 late in the set and a pair of kills from
Natalie Jones and
Brenna Stark were the difference as the Royals went on to win the set 25-22 and the game 3-0.
Grace Solberg led the way in game one with 9 kills in two sets.
Ellie Van Namen put together a 5 kill 17 assist performance.
Brenna Stark had 6 kills, 10 assists and 12 digs.
Game two:
The Royals battled in the first set against the Pioneers putting up a .353 hitting percentage and tying the game late at 25. Before surrendering two points and falling 27-25.
Bethel took an early 8-6 lead in set two before the Pioneers put together an 11-3 to take a 17-11. The Royals battled once again, closing the gap to 22-19 late and falling 25-19.
In set three the Royals fell behind 13-5 and went on to lose the set 25-12 and the game 3-0.
Peyton Howie racked up 13 kills in three sets,
Brenna Stark put together a 4 kill, 11 assist, dig performance and Ellie Van Manen had 4 kills, 17 assists and 8 digs.
Up next:
The Royals hit the road once again, traveling to River Falls, Wisconsin to take on UW-River Falls Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
