5 SET FINALE ENDS IN SWEDE VICTORY

Winfield, Kan. - Bethany College was on the road at Southwestern College, Saturday, November 9^th, taking on the Moundbuilders in their final regular season game. The Swedes finished their 2024 season out with a win, 3-2, over the Moundbuilders.

Set 1: Strong start for the Swedes who quickly took a slight lead, 6-2. However, Southwestern managed to string together a few points to get them right back into the set, 9-9. This would mark another run for the Swedes who grew their lead to four, 16-12. Once again, the Moundbuilders cut the deficient and even took the lead at 22-23 as both teams were heading into the final points of the set. Bethany kept hitting critical shots to tie up the set and keep the Moundbuilders from earning an advantage. The Swedes took control of the set at 25-24 where they finally were able to end the set at 26-24.

Set 2: After a hard-fought win in set 1, the Swedes struggled late in the second set to finish. Bethany fought over every ball and neither team was able to gain much of an advantage as the set was consistently tied until the 19-20 mark when the Moundbuilders went on a five-point run to take the set, 19-25.

Set 3: Southwestern came into the third set with a little more life in them and built up a small advantage over the Swedes at 4-6 which continued until the Moundbuilders went on a run and were in the lead by five, 9-14. Bethany went to work to chip away at the lead but the momentum was in Southwestern's favor who extended that lead to seven, 14-21 before they took the set at 18-25.

Set 4: The fourth set turned into a do or die moment for the Swedes who were fighting for one last win. The Moundbuilders would make it tough for Bethany in the beginning to gain a lead as the set was again tied throughout the first eight points for both teams. It wasn't until the Swedes strung together a couple of points to have a three-point lead over Southwestern at 13-10, for momentum to shift into the Swedes' favor. From there Bethany absolutely dominated the rest of the set, barely allowing the Moundbuilders to gain any traction. The Swedes finished the set, 25-12.

Set 5: Coming off of their impressive 4^th set win, the Swedes were determined to take the match from the Moundbuilders who were hanging on for a Senior Day win. Only going to 15, the first eight points are critical before the teams switch sides for the remainder of the set. Unfortunately for Bethany, Southwestern was able to gain a critical advantage after the set was tied at 3-3. Heading into the switch, the Moundbuilders were up by two, 6-8. The Swedes would need to quickly piece together a successful offense to tie up the set before Southwestern, which they did at the 9-9 mark. From there, Bethany took the lead at 12-10. The Moundbuilders wouldn't back down and were within one at 13-12, and again at 14-13. But the Swedes would find a way after forcing the Moundbuilders out of system, to score the final point. Bethany took the set, 15-13 for the upset.

Notable stats from this game include 10 kills by Ashlynn Gehring, 4 blocks by Melia Coleman, 33 digs by Michelle Acevedo Ortiz, 17 assists and 2 service aces by Katie Voss.

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