MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Bethel Pilots are making their first trip to the NCCAA National Tournament in Point Lookout, MO, since 2021 after sweeping the Judson Eagles in the NCCAA North-Central Regional Championship Tuesday night in the Gates Gymnasium.
Maddy Payne ended her final match in the Gates Gymnasium with 12 kills and seven blocks, leading the Pilots in both categories. Haley Biedenbach had 24 assists with three service aces, and Paige Franz led with 15 digs. Gracen Norris is two kills away from the 500 kills milestone with six kills and only had two errors.
The Pilots sprinted to a 7-2 run out of the gate and held the advantage despite the Eagles chipping the lead to 17-16.
Taylor Delp found the floor to force set point, but Judson responded for one last point at 24-21 before Delp put the first set away 25-21.
The second set was tied three times before BU took charge and jumped to a 20-12 lead, but the Pilots secured the second 25-18 and took a two-set lead.
The third saw the Pilots down early, but Ainsley Tacke and an Eagle attack error tied the set 5-5, then 6-6.
Judson held a 12-10 advantage, but Payne and Michaela Whitaker fought back and tied the set 13-13.
Bethel would complete the sweep with Tacke and Payne going back-to-back and sent the Pilots to the NCCAA National Tournament at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo. from Dec. 4-7. The tournament field will be set once the rest of the regionals are complete over the weekend.