SWEDES SURRENDER TO THE SPIRES

Lindsborg, Kan.- Bethany Swedes hosted the University of St. Mary Spires for their annual Dig Pink Night in Hahn Gymnasium Saturday, October 7^th.

Beginning in set one, the Swedes found themselves behind a slight lead by the Spires who set the tempo. Bethany stayed within three of St. Mary at 6-9. The Spires tried to go on a run but the Swedes kept them at a four-point lead at 8-12. As Bethany tried to regroup, St. Mary got hot and went on a devasting run at 18-9. The Swedes tried to respond and chipped away at the lead but weren't able to overcome the deficient. Spires took the first set 25-14.

Set two looked to be a turnaround for the Swedes who made some critical adjustments. Bethany went point for point with the Spires until they were able to gain a slight advantage at 5-3. The Swedes worked hard to limit errors which kept the game close. The Spires struggled to extend the lead past two until the 11-point mark where they extended the lead to four. Bethany sided out to slow the run but St. Mary carried all of the momentum at this point and went again on a run to extend the lead to seven at 17-10.  Determined to not let the Spires close out the set without a response, the Swedes took advantage of a couple of errors made by St. Mary and closed in around them at 17-21. Unfortunately for the Swedes, this comeback wouldn't be enough to take set two, with St. Mary finishing the set 25-19.

Third and final set began with a similar start to the previous two sets, with St. Mary gaining a slight advantage at 5-3. Bethany struggled to limit the Spires after a couple of errors and St. Mary once again extended their advantage to five at 11-6. This advantage would only grow for St. Mary who dominated the net. Bethany found themselves down 10-19. The Spires could see the finish line and continued to push points. Bethany managed to gain a few more points before the Spires finished out the set at 25-15.

Notable stats from this game include 7 kills by Atlantis Jamerson, 2 blocks by Madison McGuire, and 12 digs by Michelle Acevedo.

Up next for the Swedes is McPherson College at McPherson, Wednesday October 11 starting with JV at 5:30 and Varsity at 7pm. After that is Bethany's Homecoming game against Avila University Friday October 13 at 1pm.

#RockStockar!