MANKATO, Minn.- The Bethany Lutheran volleyball team (2-2 overall) claimed the first set over Carleton 25-12 before it dropped the next two, 25-18 and 28-26. The Vikings won the fourth set 25-22 to force a deciding fifth set. In the final frame, BLC trailed 9-1, but compiled an impressive rally to whittle the Royals' margin to one at 11-10. Within that rally, senior Megan Rutt (Le Center) had two of her four total service aces on the night.

Carleton would unfortunately score the next four points to claim the match, 3-2.

Rutt led all hitters with her 17 kills. Two freshmen teammates joined her in double figures as Kasidy Cacka (Brownton, Minn.) and Alexis Morsching ( Morristown, Minn.) had 11 and 10, respectively.

Junior Brittany Sanders (St. James, Minn.) and senior Kalli Mathiasen (St. Cloud, Minn.) had 26 and 18 assists, respectively as they co-ran the Vikings' offense.

A trio of players recorded double digit digs as Sanders and senior Veeva Lee (St. Paul) each had 15 and junior Bethany Karnopp (Albuquerque, NM) had 10.

As a team, BLC held the advantages in kills, hitting percentage, assists, service aces, and digs.

The Vikings return to the court this weekend at Macalester's Tournament.