NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Bethany volleyball lost in four sets to MIAC-leading St. Olaf (RV) on Wednesday night. The Vikings drop to 15-10 overall.
Bethany was limited to a .126 attack percentage while the Oles hit at a .257 clip and accumulated 23 more kills on the night. Lilly Mehrkens led the offense with 11 kills while adding 14 digs for a double-double. Abby Distad dished out 32 assists and Kylie Smidt matched Mehrkens on the back line with 14 digs.
After trading the first two points of the opening set, the Oles went on a 13-3 run and cruised to a 25-15 victory. The Vikings answered in the second with an early 9-6 lead before St. Olaf rattled off four straight to gain a 10-9 advantage. The visitors punched back with a 7-2 run and maintained the upper hand the rest of the way with a 25-19 win, evening the match at one set apiece.
St. Olaf dominated the start of the third at 12-2 and went on to a 25-18 decision. The Oles led 12-7 in the fourth before the Vikings went 7-1 run for a 14-13 lead, but that would be their last advantage of the night as the home team scored seven straight and won 25-16.
Bethany returns to conference action Friday night at home against Northwestern.
