5 SET CONTEST ENDS IN SWEDE VICTORY

Lindsborg, Kan.- Bethany hosted the Sterling Warriors, Wednesday, November 1.

With the end of the regular season coming close, the Swedes were hungry for the upset over the Warriors. Set one proved to be an exciting start to a five-set contest between the two teams. Bethany found themselves down by two at the beginning but quickly worked to tie the set up at 3-3 and again at 8-8. Both teams fought to gain an advantage, and the Swedes were able to gain a slight lead at 11-9. The Swedes continued to hold the advantage over the Warriors until Sterling was able to tie the set up at 16-16 and yet again at 20-20.  Sterling quickly earned the lead until Bethany tied up the set at 24-24. Win by two, the Warriors served an ace followed by a kill to win the set at 26-24.

Set 2 marked the start of the Swedes dominating attack against the Warriors. Bethany quickly found their rhythm and served three aces in row by Allie Miller to earn a lead at 5-2. The Swedes continued to push points and extended their lead to six at 11-5. This wouldn't hold for long; the Warriors went on a run to close the gap and even took the lead at 12-11. The Swedes tied up the set at 14-14. Bethany again set the tempo and earned an advantage of five at 19-14. The Warriors tried to come back from the deficient but in the end the Swedes held them off at 25-20.

Set 3, Bethany was on a roll and continued their momentum as they claimed a slight lead over the Warriors at 4-2. Sterling quickly responded and took control of the set, leading the Swedes by five at 9-4. Bethany would slowly chip away at the lead and would it tie it up at 12-12. Both teams traded a few points until Bethany gained a two-point advantage at 18-16. The Swedes turned up the heat as the set was drawing to an end and had a three-point lead over the Warriors at 22-19. The Warriors refused to let the Swedes take the set without a last chance effort. Sterling tied up the set at 23-23. The Swedes took advantage of a couple of mistakes made by the Warriors and closed out the set at 25-23.

Set 4 was electric for both teams as Bethany tried to close out the match with a win while Sterling was trying to hold on and force a fifth and final set. Both teams would go back and forth with several ties at 6 all, 7 all, and 8 all. No one was going to give in and let the other team go on a run. It wasn't until the both teams tied for a twelve time at 21-21, would either team earned more than a two-point advantage. Sterling would find themselves in a position to win the set. Swedes tried to come back but wouldn't in time. The Warriors took the fourth set 25-22.

Set 5, the final set of the night, was up for grabs and both teams who were fighting off exhaustion as the match reached its peak. Bethany took off with the set, going on a four-point run to earn a six-point lead at 8-2 over Sterling. The Warriors adjusted and slowly got back into set, only being down by two at 11-13 but it wouldn't be enough. Swedes would close out the set at 15-12. Bethany took the win for night 3-2 over Sterling.

Notable stats from this game include: 25 kills by Zola Moore, 4 blocks by Madison McGuire, and 48 digs by Swedes Libero, Michelle Acevedo.

Up next for the Swedes is the final game of the regular season against Southwestern College, Saturday, November 4 at 6pm in Hahn Gymnasium. The Swedes will also be celebrating Senior Night which includes six seniors before the match.

#RockarStockar!