The Royals struggled this weekend, falling in all three matches against North Park, Nebraska Wesleyan, and Simpson.
Friday Matches:
Bethel vs. North Park (0-3):
- Bethel faced a tough challenge against a strong North Park team that dominated throughout. Despite Bethel's efforts, North Park's consistent offense and strong serving kept Bethel on the defensive, resulting in a straight-set loss.
Bethel vs. Nebraska Wesleyan (1-3):
- Bethel showed some fight, taking a set off Nebraska Wesleyan. However, Nebraska Wesleyan's experience and control in key moments swung the match in their favor. Bethel's errors in crucial points and difficulty containing Nebraska Wesleyan's attack were factors in the loss.
Saturday Match:
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Bethel vs. Simpson (1-3):
Bethel started the match strong, winning the first set, but Simpson quickly adjusted their tactics. Bethel couldn't maintain momentum, and Simpson's balanced offense and solid defense allowed them to win three straight sets.
Key Takeaways:
- Bethel showed flashes of strong play, especially in the matches against Nebraska Wesleyan and Simpson, but couldn't sustain it.
- Service errors and unforced mistakes in tight situations made it difficult for Bethel to close out sets.
- Several players had strong individual performances across the weekend. Against North Park, Peyton Howie led with 10 kills and 4 blocks, Grace Therrien added 16 digs, and Sophia Rubio contributed 34 assists. In the Nebraska Wesleyan match, Howie had 16 kills, Therrien recorded 18 digs, Houser had 5 blocks, and Rubio tallied 45 assists.
- In the Simpson game, Howie again was a key contributor with 13 kills and 2 blocks, Hannah Penke added 10 kills, Grace Therrien recorded 11 digs and 3 aces, Lauren Hetfeld led the defense with 11 digs, and Sophia Rubio added 46 assists.
Up Next for the Royals:
Bethel will host their first home game of the season this Wednesday at 7 PM against Eau Claire.
