MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran volleyball team on Tuesday night came away with a big 3-1 win over Martin Luther after falling behind 1-0 after the first set. With the victory the Vikings move to 10-12 overall and 3-5 in the UMAC while the Knights fall to 6-16 overall and 3-6 in the conference. 

MLC would come out strong in the first set of this one, pushing their way to a 12-7 lead in the middle stages of the first frame. Bethany would draw within two points at 14-12 but wouldn't get any closer the rest of the set as the Knights would hold them off to claim a 25-22 win. 

The Vikings would bounce back in a big way in the second, jumping out to a 12-4 lead. MLC would eventually fight their way back in with five straight points to cut the lead to 16-12, but Bethany would respond with five straight of their own to make it 21-12 and would coast from there to even the match at 1-1 after a 25-18 set win. 

The third set proved to be nearly identical to the second, as the Vikings would climb out to a 13-4 lead early in the frame before MLC would use a run in the middle to cut the deficit to 17-13. Bethany would score five of the next sit points though to take command of the frame before eventually claiming the set 25-18. 

The fourth set would play even early with the Vikings trailing 12-11 midway through the set before eight straight behind the service of Maddie Meyer would put them up 19-12. MLC would try to fight back in late but a Lilly Mehrkens kill would close out the set 25-21 and the match 3-1. 

Mehrkens led all players in the match as she tallied 15 kills while Meyer had 11 kills on just 26 attacks. Reigning UMAC Setter of the Week Abby Distad had 36 attacks to pace the Viking attack while Maddi Wendland and Megan Wegner led the defense with 23 and 19 digs, respectively. 

Bethany will now have a week off and next be in action next Tuesday when they travel to Hamline for a 7 p.m. non-conference contest.