NORTHFIELD, Minn. –
Abby Loe (Jr./Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley) tallied her seventh double digit kill total of the season, but the Carleton volleyball team was unable to overcome a strong hitting performance from Bethel, as the Knights dropped a three-set match (25-16, 25-23, 25-13) Wednesday evening at West Gym.
Bethel (12-5, 2-1 MIAC) hit .300 for the match, compared to a .133 hitting percentage for the Knights.
Carleton came out strong to start the match, as the home team jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the opening set. The two teams exchanged points over the ensuing points before an
Olivia Powell (Sr./Palos Verdes, Calif./Chadwick) kill helped the Knights reclaim a 7-6 lead. Carleton would get no closer however as Bethel strung together two separate scoring runs to eventually earn a 25-16 win and early match lead.
After Bethel jumped out to a quick lead in the second set, Carleton (4-11, 1-2 MIAC) battled back to pull within 15-11 midway through the set. A kill from Loe pulled the Knights to within four again at 18-14, before the Royals claimed four out of the next six points to take a 22-15 lead. Carleton would not go quietly however, as the Knights battled back to take the next four points and force a Royal timeout. A pair of Loe kills would pull the Knights even closer at 24-23, but the Knights couldn't complete the comeback as Bethel won the ensuing point to earn a hard-fought 25-23 win and 2-0 match lead.
Bethel took the third set 25-13.
Loe led the Knights with 11 kills and a team-best .200 hitting percentage, while
Grace Leuchtenberger (Jr./Newton, Mass./Newton South) added five kills.
Jancyn Appel (Fy./Kansas City, Mo./Pembroke Hill) chipped in with four kills and Powell added three to lead the Carleton offensive attack.
Celeste Chen (Sr./Yorba Linda, Calif./Valencia) led Carleton with nine digs, while
Inger Shelton (So./San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) led the Knights with 19 assists and a team high three aces.
Maria Clarfin (Jr./Dayton, Minn,/Champlin Park) led the Royals with 12 kills and a .611 hitting percentage.
The Knights have a quick turnaround, as they host Martin Luther College on Thursday at 7 p.m. in West Gym.
