MANKATO, Minn. - Bethany Lutheran volleyball treated its home crowd to a 3-1 win over Concordia on Friday night in its home opener. The Vikings rallied from a first set 25-22 loss to win the next three 26-24, 25-22, and 25-15, improving to 1-4 overall. 

Bethany got off to a quick start with the first five points of the opening frame and held the lead until Concordia went on a 5-1 run midway through the set to go up 15-14. The lead switched sides twice more but that last one was in favor of the Cobbers as they finished out the set with five straight points. 

The second set featured four lead changes and nine ties, but the Vikings were able to hold off a late Cobber rally to win in extras. Concordia punched back to open the third with a 7-2 advantage before the Vikings started to claw their way back. Down 20-15, the home team put together a 10-2 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match. 

The fourth set went back and fourth early before the Vikings were able to create separation midway through the frame. Bethany closed out the match on a 6-0 run for the decisive match-clinching win. 

Bethany out-hit Concordia .167-.122 on the attack, led by Lilly Mehrkens with 18 kills and a .302 attack rate. Mehrkens added 10 digs on the back line for a double-double. Sydney Carlson added 12 kills. Kylie Smidt led the defense with 19 digs, while Abby Distad tallied 46 assists to eclipse the century mark for her career. Distad becomes the seventh player in program history to reach 1,000 career assists. 

The Vikings face Buena Vista and Coe at the Saint Mary's Sugar Loaf Classic tomorrow. 
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