RIVER FOREST, Ill. - Bethany volleyball opened its 2026 season Friday evening at the Concordia Chicago Quad, splitting a pair of matches. The Vikings started the day with a 3-0 sweep over Blackburn before a five-set loss to the host Concordia.
Bethany 3, Blackburn 0
First year Brooklyn Erickson had a strong showing in her collegiate debut with a team-leading 15 kills. Fellow rookie Holly Hinderks added seven kills and a team-best 19 digs on the back line. Vivian Peplow was strong on the serve with six aces while adding 15 assists. Marissa Stamer led the way with 20 assists.
Bethany held the advantage for a majority of the first set and held a 19-13 advantage before Blackburn rattled off six straight points to tie the game at 19-19. The opening set was tied again at 23 before Hinderks landed a kill and followed with an ace to seal the game 25-23.
The second set was a seesaw battle with six lead changes and 13 ties before two attack errors at the end gave the Vikings another 25-23 win. The third set was another tightly-contested match with a tie score late at 21-21. Erickson connected for a kill and Peplow served an ace before two attack errors from the other side clinched the set 25-22.
Bethany 2, Concordia 3
The host jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first two sets with wins of 25-17 and 25-20. The Vikings battled back in the third with a 25-23 win after fending off a six-point rally by Concordia late in the game. A kill by Hinderks seal the set.
Bethany then won the fourth 25-22, but Concordia closed it out in the fifth at 15-7. Abby Maloney led the offense with 12 kills. Peplow distributed 23 assists and Stamer was right behind with 22. Ericson led the back line with 21 digs.
The Vikings continue play at the Concordia-Chicago Quad tomorrow with matches against Benedictine (9 a.m.) and Buena Vista (11 a.m.).
