MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Bethel Pilots (7-6, 4-3)Â fell to the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles (12-1, 5-1) on Tuesday night in the Goodman Gymnasium.
The two teams were evenly matched for kills scored, with the Pilots totaling 50 and the Golden Eagles recording 53. Bethel’s serve receive struggled against Cornerstone’s seven service aces.
Bethel posted three service aces and four blocks. The Golden Eagles, in comparison, posted 13 blocks.
Pablo Tello led the Pilots’ offense with 17 kills and ranked third on the team for total digs (six).
Thomas Dunkley recorded 15 kills and two aces for the Bethel offense.
Christian Woumnga led the team for total blocks (four) and posted eight kills.
In the first set, Santana Roybal-Benson scored the first kill for the Pilots.
Bethel soon surrendered an early four-point run to Cornerstone, trailing 4-2. Cornerstone claimed the first set 25-16.
Thomas Dunkley opened the second set with two kills (2-0). After Bethel scored on an attacking error by Cornerstone, the Golden Eagles pushed back with a four-point run, taking the lead (6-3). Pablo Tello tied the score 7-7 with a kill, assisted by Lucas Nascimento.
The battle for points continued well into the latter half of the second set. Thomas Dunkley scored two consecutive kills to bring Bethel up 25-24.
As the point total climbed into the thirties, Pablo Tello scored a kill off McGwire Eigenrauch as the Pilots led 32-31.
The Pilots ultimately took the second set following an attacking error by Cornerstone, 35-33.
In the third set, a service error by the Golden Eagles gave Bethel its first point (1-0). Pablo Tello scored two back-to-back kills as the Pilots led 5-3.
Cornerstone showcased a five-point run, after two Bethel attacking errors, to bring their score to 11-7. Bethel earned three points in the row mid-set, following kills by Jibbe Boeren, Christian Woumnga, and a service ace by Sebastian Rodriguez. After the run, Cornerstone led 20-16. The Pilots dropped the third set 25-20.
In the final set, Thomas Dunkley aced the Golden Eagles to get the scoring rolling (1-0).
As Cornerstone gained traction, Christian Woumnga scored a kill to tie the score 6-6.
The teams were equally matched until Bethel surrendered three consecutive points. The Golden Eagles led 19-16 following a Pilot attacking error. Cornerstone took the final set 24-19 and the game 3-1.
The Pilots will next compete against Edward Waters University on Sunday, March 2, at 2:00 p.m., as they travel to Jacksonville, Florida for spring break.