ST. PAUL, Minn. - Freshmen Hannah Smith and Kaitie Serkiz had career days with 52 combined kills but the Buena Vista volleyball was handed a pair of tough losses for the second straight day to close out the Kathryn Pals Invitational on Saturday, hosted by Northwestern-St. Paul.

BVU fell behind 2-0 to Bethel in its opener before rallying to force a fifth set.  The Royals, however, pulled away late and handed the Beavers a 15-10 setback.  Smith registered a career-high 14 kills with Serkiz following with 12.  Smith fell just shy of her first double-double by adding nine digs.  Taylor Wedemeyer dished out 31 assists to go along with her 17 digs while Summer Goss posted a team-leading 24 digs.

The Beavers were after their first win of the season to round out the day but St. Nortbert hung on for a 25-22 lead in the opening set before following up with a 25-16 triumph in the second.  BVU avoided the sweep with 13 kills and just one error en route to a 25-19 victory, but St. Norbert closed things out by holding Buena Vista to only five kills and six errors while picking up a 25-11 win.

Smith added 11 more kills while Serkiz chipped in with a career-best 15.  Wedemeyer tallied 30 assists and 10 digs for her fourth straight double-double to begin her career.  Goss had 11 digs and also added eight assists and a pair of ace serves.

Buena Vista is now 0-4 on the year and will be off until hosting a triangular on Saturday., September 7.  The team begins the day against Maranatha Baptist at 10 a.m. before closing out against St. Catherine at 2 p.m.