MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Bethel Pilots (5-3, 2-0) suffered a tough 3-1 loss to the Olivet Nazarene Tigers (3-4, 0-1) in the Goodman Gymnasium on Friday evening.
Pablo Tello led the team in kills (15), setting a season high. Tello also recorded two aces and six digs.
Maik Herbst posted a season high for 40 assists. Christian Woumnga totaled 13 kills, 10 digs, and one assist, recording season highs for each category.
Jibbe Boeren and Thomas Dunkley showcased solid blocks at the net, as each Pilot racked up three blocks against the Tiger offense.
In the first set, Christian Woumnga scored the first kill for either team (1-1). The teams went point-for-point, each holding the other to a two-point lead or less for the first half of the set.
The Pilots scored on a Tiger attack error (18-15) before Olivet Nazarene called the first timeout. Bethel lost their lead and called their first timeout, trailing 24-23.
Following a service ace by the Tigers, Bethel called their last timeout of the game as they trailed 26-25. Despite an epic block by Santana Roybal-Benson (26-26), the Pilots lost the first set 28-26.
In the second set, Christian Woumnga showed his attacking consistency by scoring the first kill for Bethel, as the Tigers led by one (2-1).
The Pilots cruised through a crucial five-point run towards the end of the second set. Jibbe Boeren ended the run with two consecutive kills to bring the score 23-15, with the Pilots leading.
After a double block by Thomas Dunkley and Jibbe Boeren, Bethel secured the second set 25-17.
At the onset of the third set, The Tigers retaliated with a four-point run to bring their score to 6-3. The Pilots re-tied the score 9-9 with a block by Christian Woumnga.
As the race for points continued, Bethel posted three points in a row following their first timeout (21-21). Despite Bethel’s grit, the Tigers’ four-point run gave them the second set 25-21.
In the fourth set, Christian Woumnga once again initiated Bethel’s scoring with a kill (1-0).
The Tigers saw the largest lead of the game at 19-16. Pablo Tello’s kill (20-19) decreased the Pilot point deficit by one.
After a block from the Tigers, Bethel lost the fourth set 25-20 and the game three sets to one.
The Pilots return to conference play on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., as they face the Aquinas College Saints. The Saints are 3-6 overall and 0-1 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.