Bethel Volleyball falls at first place Marian
Indianapolis, Ind. – The Bethel volleyball team took on (RV) Marian in their third straight road match and failed to break through in three close sets -20, -20, -19. The Pilots fall to 8-11 and 1-5 in the Crossroads League.
The Pilots dropped all three sets for the fifth time in six matches, four to Crossroads League teams. The Pilots got off to a slow start in the first set, falling behind 9-3. Cassie Sears (SR/Bremen. Ind.) helped pull the Pilots within 15-10 and then forced multiple Knight errors to get within 15-13 and force a Marian timeout. The Knights extended the lead out of the timeout with three straight points. The Pilots stayed within striking distance on an Abby Armold (FR/Valparaiso, Ind.) kill to get the score down to 21-19. The Pilots could not get any closer as the Knights closed out a 25-20 first set victory.
Armold helped the Pilots get off to a 5-2 start in the second set but the Knights were able to pull even at 7. Payton Anderson (JR/New Castle, Ind.) helped give the Pilots the lead back at 9-7 but the Knights responded with five straight points to take a 12-9 lead. Three straight Knight errors gave the Pilots a 12-12 tie but the Knights again scored five of the next six points to take a 17-13 lead. Anderson helped pull the Pilots within 20-18 and again within one at 21-20 but the Knights could not finish the comeback and fell 25-20 for the second consecutive set.
The Pilots held an 11-9 lead in the third set and a Malerie Mech (SO/Valparaiso, Ind.) and Armold block gave the Pilots a 15-14 lead but the Knights would not be denied the third set victory. The hosts scored seven of nine points to take a commanding 22-17 lead. The Pilots notched two late points but fell 25-19 in the third set.
Payton Anderson led the way with 11 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, while adding 13 assists and 8 digs. Abby Armold and Malerie Mechadded six kills each. Emma Morey (FR/Battle Creek, Mich.) added 13 assists while Erin Carlos (SR/Millersburg, Ind.) tallied 16 digs. Bridget Downs (SO/Lexington, Ky.) notched 10 digs in the effort.
The Pilots finish up the four-match road trip at Huntington on Wednesday at 7 pm ET.
