MANKATO, Minn. - Bethany volleyball extended its winning streak to three matches Wednesday night with a four-set win over Buena Vista. The Vikings move above .500 at 6-5 overall. 

After trading points early in the first set, Bethany went on a 9-3 run midway through to gain a 19-15 advantage and closed out the opening frame 25-17. The Vikings were efficient on the attack at .387 and had just two errors. 

The lead changed sides five times in the second set, but it was the Beavers getting the final advantage, closing out the set on a 5-2 run to win 25-21. Bethany controlled the third set throughout, jumping out to an 8-2 lead and later rattling off five straight points on the serve of Maddie Meyer for a 21-10 advantage. The Vikings went on to win 25-14 and hit .424 in the third. 

The fourth set was a seesaw match early on until the Vikings 10-2 run for a 23-18 advantage. The Beavers then took fourth straight to come within one point, but Bethany claimed the next two and ended it 25-22 on a kill by Riley Sammon. 

Lilly Mehrkens tallied a career-high 25 kills and hit .316 on the attack. She also dug out 11 attacks for a double-double. Maddie Meyer was next with 14 kills and a .478 hitting percentage. Abby Distad quarterbacked the offense with 48 assists, while adding 11 digs for the double-double. Kylie Smidt and Avery Carlson led the back line with 15 digs apiece. 

Bethany hosts Luther and Saint Mary's on Saturday at 12 and 4 p.m., respectively. 


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