MANKATO, Minn. - The wins keep coming for Bethany volleyball as it cruised to consecutive 3-0 victories over Luther and Saint Mary's on Saturday at home. The Vikings improve to 8-5 overall with their fifth straight win, marking the longest win streak since 2007. 

Bethany 3, Luther 0

The Vikings were strong on the attack right out of the gates, hitting .464 with just one error in the opening set. Bethany rushed out to a 7-1 lead and never looked back in a dominant 25-8 victory. 

Bethany hit over. 400 again in the second (.419), erasing an early 9-7 deficit with a 6-1 run to gain the lead. The Norse fired back and went ahead at 20-18, but the Vikings answered with a 7-3 run to close it out at 25-23. 

The home squad started the third with a 4-1 advantage and never gave up the lead. Luther was able to tie the score once and came within two points at the end (23-21), but the Vikings finished the match at 25-21. 

Lilly Mehrkens led the offense with 17 kills and a .318 hitting percentage. Abby Distad dished out 36 assists, while Mel Raasch and Avery Carlson led the defense with 12 digs apiece. 

Bethany 3, Saint Mary's 0

Bethany rolled its momentum into the second match of the day with a dominant 25-13 first set win, while hitting .400. The Vikings started the match on a 7-0 run and never trailed. 

Much like the first frame, the Vikings had a hot start in the second at 4-0 and once again never trailed. The Cardinals came within one point at 21-20 following a 6-0 run, but the Vikings went on to win 25-21. 

Saint Mary's gained its first lead of the match with opening point of the third set and held an 8-7 advantage, but the home squad took back the lead for good with an 8-2 run. The Cardinals fought off set-point three times to make the score 24-23, but the Vikings were able to get the match-clinching point at 25-23. 

Mehrkens once again led the attack with 17 kills and an efficient .469 hitting percentage. Distad distributed 33 assists and Kylie Smidt led the back line with 12 digs. 

Bethany begins UMAC play Tuesday night at Martin Luther. 
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