ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University volleyball team continued its dominant stretch of conference play Friday evening, sweeping Hamline University in straight sets (25-15, 25-21, 25-22) at the Robertson Center to extend its winning streak to 10 matches.
The Royals came out strong in the opening set, hitting an impressive .375 while recording 11 kills and committing just two attacking errors. Bethel held Hamline to a .080 hitting percentage, cruising to a 25-15 victory to take an early advantage.
Hamline responded with a more competitive second set, holding Bethel to a .086 hitting percentage. Despite the offensive struggles, the Royals found ways to capitalize on opportunities and secured a 25-21 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
The third set featured another strong offensive performance from Bethel, which recorded a match-high 15 kills while hitting .313. The Royals held off the Pipers for a 25-22 victory, completing their second consecutive straight-set sweep.
Grace Bathurst led the Royals offensively with a match-high 16 kills while adding five blocks. Hannah Penke followed with eight kills, while Sara Scherber contributed seven.
Bethel made a significant impact from the service line, recording 12 aces compared to just two for Hamline. Grace Therrien led the way with a match-high six service aces, while Penke added three and Sophia Rubio contributed two.
Ellie Van Namen directed the offense with 21 assists, while Rubio added 10.
Defensively, Therrien led the Royals with 14 digs, followed by Mattie Petersen with six and Van Namen with five. Bathurst anchored the front line with five blocks, while Van Namen and Ella Brennan each added two.
The Royals finished the match hitting .242 compared to Hamline's .170, holding advantages in kills (36-33), blocks (7-6) and digs (38-36).
With the victory, Bethel improves to 20-4 overall and remains perfect in MIAC play at 7-0.
Up Next: Bethel travels to St. Paul on Saturday, Oct. 24, to face Macalester College in MIAC action. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
