STORM LAKE, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) - Fifth-year Rachel Brockney turned in 11 kills, Jadyn Rausch added 28 assists and 17 digs, but it wouldn't be quite enough for the Buena Vista University volleyball team on Tuesday night as visiting Bethany Lutheran came away with a 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-10, 28-26).

Brockney had 11 kills and only four errors on 47 total swings and fell just shy of a double-double with eight digs. Sydney Meints was right behind with nine kills and a strong .227 attack percentage while no other player had more than four kills. Rausch notched her fifth double-double over the last six matches, including a new season-high in digs. Mallory Ignaszweski led the way defensively for the Beavers as she fell one shy of a career-high with 23 digs.

The Beavers led throughout most of the opening set, including a 16-11 cushion, before the Vikings used a 7-2 spurt to pull even at 18-18. Bethany Lutheran went up 23-21 before the Beavers used a pair of Bethany Lutheran miscues to square things up at 23-23. A serving error by the Beavers followed by a kill from the Vikings gave BLC a 25-23 win.

It was all Vikings in the second set as BVU had only five kills and seven attack errors. Despite being even at 6-6 early on, BLC would go on an 11-1 run which included eight straight points to end the run and grab a 17-7 advantage. BVU was unable to string together a run and fell 25-10.

It was a tight battle throughout the third set as the Beavers tried to keep the match going. BVU rallied from a 15-5 deficit by using a 13-3 run to tie things up at 18-18. The Beavers later went up 22-20 but couldn't close the door which was eventually shut by the Vikings who went on to win 28-26.

Lilly Mehrkens had a team-high nine kill to lead Bethany Lutheran (6-5).

Buena Vista is now 4-10 on the year and travels to Crown College for a non-conference match on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. before taking part in the UM-Morris Triangular on Saturday, Sept. 21.