NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College volleyball team fell 3-1 in their hardest KCAC conference test so far this season as they took on the RV Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes in Thresher Gym.
Leading 20-15 late in the opening set, the Threshers let the Coyotes back into the set. KWU rattled off seven straight points to take the 22-20 advantage. Bethel never recovered from the Coyote run as they dropped the opening set 25-21.
The Threshers answered right back in set two as they won a tight 25-23 game. Bethel never trailed in the second set as they controlled the game from start to finish. BC recorded 18 kills in the set, their highest total in a set on the evening.
The third set was a very back and forth affair as both teams traded blows. Neither team led by more than three points during any point in the set as KWU 8-5 lead was the largest. After Bethel scored back to back points, tying the contest at 23 all, Kansas Wesleyan followed up a timeout by scoring two straight points, taking the set and the 2-1 advantage.
Set four saw Kansas Wesleyan jump out to a quick 13-5 advantage. However, the Threshers weren't going away easily as they rattled off eight straight points, including three of
Kylah Carter's team high 16 kills. After the Coyotes opened up another five point advantage, the Threshers ripped off another long string of points that was aided by four KWU errors.
With Bethel leading 21-19, KWU scored three straight points answered by three straight points from the Threshers and another three straight from the Coyotes. With KWU leading 25-24, BC called its final timeout of the set to try and stymie the Coyote offense. Coming out of the timeout, KWU committed a service error to tie the contest. After a KWU point and an attack error,
Cameron Offerle gave Bethel the one point advantage, 27-26, with a kill down the line. Kansas Wesleyan answered the timely kill by scoring three straight points to take the fourth set 29-27.
The story of the contest for the Threshers was errors. Bethel committed 43 total errors in the contest, while Kansas Wesleyan committed just 37.
Two Threshers finished the contest with double-digit kills led by Carter's 16.
Darla Crow finished the game with 14 kills and 4 blocks, extending her nation lead.
Kaitlyn Shima turned in a double-double as she led the Threshers with 29 assists and 16 digs.
Jordan Boone had a great game at the net as she added in a game-high 6 blocks to her 9 kills.
This loss snapped the Threshers 14 game winning streak and handed them their first conference loss of the season.
Bethel will be back in action on Saturday, October 21st as they host the Saint Mary Spires at 1:00 PM inside Thresher Gym.
