DULUTH, Minn. – The Bethel University volleyball team continued its strong start to MIAC play Saturday evening, earning a straight-set road victory over the College of St. Scholastica inside Reif Gymnasium.
The Royals swept the Saints 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 to improve to 15-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
Bethel established control early, putting down 12 kills with just three errors in the opening set. The Royals hit .321 while holding St. Scholastica to a .032 hitting percentage on their way to a 25-18 victory.
The Bethel offense took another step forward in the second. The Royals recorded 18 kills with only two errors on 37 attempts, hitting a match-best .432 to cruise to a 25-17 win and take a 2-0 advantage.
Bethel maintained its efficiency in the third, hitting .379 with 14 kills and three errors. Another 25-17 victory completed the sweep.
Peyton Howie led a balanced attack with 13 kills, while Grace Bathurst finished with 11 and Sara Scherber added 10. Bethel totaled 44 kills with just eight attack errors, hitting .383 for the match compared to St. Scholastica's .134.
The Royals also held a 7-3 advantage in blocks. Howie, Bathurst and Scherber each recorded two blocks to lead the effort at the net.
Ellie Van Namen dished out 17 assists, while Sophia Rubio added 13. Defensively, Grace Therrien and Hannah Penke each finished with 11 digs as Bethel held a 40-28 advantage in the category.
The victory extends Bethel's winning streak to five matches and keeps the Royals unbeaten through their first two MIAC contests at 15-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
Up Next: Bethel continues MIAC action Wednesday, traveling to Carleton College for a 7 p.m. matchup in Northfield.
