MISHAWAKA, Ind. —The Bethel Pilots (16-15, 8-10) concluded their regular season on Wednesday evening in the Goodman Gymnasium with a 3-0 loss (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) to the (RV) Taylor University Trojans (20-10, 11-7).
Bethel is now seventh in the Crossroads League, ranking above the Grace College Lancers (eighth) who fell 3-1 to Marian University in their final regular season matchup.
Assistant Taylor Coach Maddy Payne was honored for her contributions to the Bethel University Women’s Volleyball Program prior to the game.
Payne holds the record for Bethel career kills (1828) and blocks (807), and helped lead the Pilots to a final four finish at the 2024 NCCAA National Championship.
Taylor Delp led the team in kills (12), nearly missing a double-double with nine digs recorded.
Breyana Bosket led the Bethel blocking efforts (three), while Ary Searle added a block on her birthday.
Jess Hand and Paige Franz each showcased nine digs.
In the final minutes of the third, the Pilots never gave up a run to Taylor.
Sophia Beeson terminated a ball from Haley Biedenbach, as Bethel trailed by three (21-18). Beeson scored again at 22-19.
Breyana Bosket and Liberty Pierson put the final Pilot points on the board with separate kills, but Taylor’s Ruth Anderson ended the match 25-21 for the Trojans.
Despite the loss, Bethel advances to the Crossroads League Quarterfinal with an 8-10 conference record. The Pilots will face the No. 12 Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars on Sat, Nov. 8 at 6 PM. Bethel previously split with the Cougars this season, defeating MVNU 3-1 on Sept. 3, and falling 3-0 on Oct. 8.