MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran volleyball team Friday would use a great team effort for their fourth straight win as they defeated Crown 3-0. With the win the Vikings move to 12-12 overall on the year and 4-5 in the UMAC while the Polars fall to 6-11 overall and 1-8 in conference play.

Crown would use a few kills early as well as a few Viking attack errors in the first to get out at a 4-3 lead, but the service of Avery Carlson a few points later sparked a 9-0 run for the home team that would put them up 13-5. Bethany would continue to extend their lead, as three kills down the stretch from Maddie Meyer would push them to set point at 24-10. The Polars wouldn't give in though as they would score five straight, but a kill from Lilly Mehrkens ended the set at 25-15. 

The visitors would hang with the Vikings in set two, as Bethany would gain an 8-6 lead early on. They would push that lead to six points at 17-11 but two straight from Crown kept the deficit at four. With the Vikings leading 19-14 they would find their stride late, as they would score six straight points thanks to five kills to close out the set at 25-14. 

The final set was all Bethany from the first point, as they would climb out to a 9-1 lead and didn't look back from there as they would claim the set 25-11 and the match 3-0. 

Mehrkens led Bethany on the day with 11 kills, while Esther Peeters had a season-high seven. Abby Distad continues to put up impressive setting numbers as the freshman posted 30 set assists, while Kylie Smidt led the back row with 13 digs. 

The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow when they host Minnesota Morris for a 1 p.m. contest.