Having already punched its ticket to the MIAC playoffs for the tenth consecutive year with a 3-0 sweep over Saint Mary’s University Friday night, the Bethel University volleyball team looked to further cement itself as MIAC contenders against Gustavus Adolphus College –a team that has yet to drop a conference game this season.
Before a packed crowd in the Robertson Center Gym, the Royals fell to the top-ranked Gustie squad in three sets. Unable to keep up with the Gusties’ pace, the Royals managed just a .176 hitting percentage to the Gusties’ .336.
The Royals came out of the gates swinging however, with a Hannah Penke-kill opening the first set. However, Gustavus quickly grabbed a 9-4 lead, forcing the Royals to play catchup throughout. They dropped the set 25-18.
The second set saw the Royals fall behind early once again with the Gusties quickly grabbing a 7-4 lead. But Bethel answered by putting together a 5-1 run to take a 9-8 lead on a Hannah Penke kill. The Royals held a 16-12 lead after a pair of Grace Soberg-kills and a Gustie attack error. Gustavus answered back with its own 5-1 run, tying the set at 17.
The back-and-forth second set was within reach for the Royals as Solberg came away with a kill to move it to set point. But Gustavus came up with a rally of its own, closing out the set with a 5-1 run to take the set 27-25.
The third set showed promise early for the Royals with a Brenna Stark-kill giving them an early 3-2 lead. But Gustavus’ hitting prowess showed once again as a 9-1 run opened up a commanding 13-5 advantage. Bethel made things interesting, however, clawing their way back into it with a 6-1 run and a pair of Grace Solberg-kills to make it an 18-16 game.
It was too much for the Royals to overcome though, as they dropped the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.
The loss closes out the Royals’ regular season home slate on a sour note with Gustavus proving they are still the team to beat in the conference. The Royals have already punched their ticket to the MIAC playoffs and now finish out the regular season on the road against Augsburg University on Friday Nov. 8.
Now the Royals turn their focus to the regular season finale and a MIAC playoff run, hoping to get another shot to prove they belong at the top with this Gustavus squad.
