ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Carleton volleyball team showed grit in each frame but came up short in a three-set loss to Bethel University (25-18, 25-19, 25-15) on Wednesday night at Robertson Center.

The Knights traded points early in the opening set, pulling within 8-7 after kills from senior Sylvia Dixon and sophomore Ellewyn Swafford, before Bethel used a 9-2 run to open up some breathing room with a 17-9 lead.  Despite a desperate effort late from Carleton, the Royals controlled from there, taking the frame 25-18.

In the second set, Carleton built momentum behind Swafford and first-year Sami Torresin, who made an immediate impact off the bench with four kills in the stanza. Junior Rachel Bingham added an ace and fellow junior Megan Smith guided the attack with 10 assists. The Knights led the frame 10-9 before Bethel pulled away with an 11-3 run to take a 20-13 lead.  Carleton climbed back within five points (24-19) before the Royals claimed the final point for the 25-19 decision.

Carleton continued to battle in the third, with Dixon and Torresin each registering kills to keep the Knights within 10-9. Bethel responded with six unanswered points to build a seven-point (16-9) lead, which was all it needed in the deciding set, as the Royals went on to close the deal and seal the match 25-15.

Dixon, Swafford, and Torresin led the way for the Knights offensively with seven kills each.  Dixon added three digs, while Swafford collected an ace and a pair of blocks.  Torresin was efficient, collecting her seven kills with a .545 hitting percentage.

Megan Smith narrowly missed a double-double with 23 assists and nine digs.  Sophomore Madeleine Dimitre added seven digs and Rachel Bingham put up a pair of aces to go along with her six digs. 

Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will head to Duluth on Friday to take on the College of St. Scholastica at 7pm.