NORTHFIELD, Minn.—  Annelise Sokolow (So./Draper, Utah/Juan Diego Catholic) and Jancyn Appel (Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) recorded eight kills each, but the Carleton College volleyball team dropped a three-set match (25-11, 25-15, 25-13) to conference foe Bethel University on Wednesday evening at West Gym.
 
The Knights gained an early advantage in the opening set behind a kill from Appel, but Carleton could not sustain the momentum, as Bethel answered with a lengthy scoring run to open up the set and take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Royals, who are ranked No. 24 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25 poll, jumped in front in the second set before Carleton responded with a late run of their own. A kill from Sokolow pulled the Knights to within five at 15-20, but Bethel (14-4, 3-1 MIAC) would answer with a 5-0 run to close the set out.
 
The Royals won the third set 25-13 to earn their third three-set sweep in MIAC play this season. 
 
Sokolow led the Knights with a team-high eight digs, while Appel hit a match-best .615. Setter Inger Shelton (Sr./San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) led Carleton with 17 assists, while Grace Perret (Fy./Green Bay, Wis./Preble) added four kills and seven digs.
 
Carleton hit .036 for the match compared to .329 for Bethel. The Knights, who entered the match ranked third in the MIAC in service aces, recorded only one ace against the Royals, versus 10 aces for Bethel. The Royals held a 6-3 advantage in blocks.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton is off from competition until Friday, Oct. 15, when the Knights travel to Concordia-Moorhead. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium.