Volleyball improves to 6-1 in KCAC play with win at Bethel
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

NORTH NEWTON – Kansas Wesleyan continued its tear through the Kansas Conference in Volleyball, as the Lady Coyotes knocked off perennial powerhouse Bethel (Kan.) in five games – 30-24, 23-30, 30-24, 26-30, 15-10 – on Saturday at Thresher Gym.

Led by the tandem of Kolby Rhoades and Sarah Claborn, the Lady Coyotes hammered home a total of 68 kills, including 29 by Claborn, setting a new KWU record, and Rhoades added 25. Both also took over 80 attempts as the Lady Coyotes had 234 attack attempts in the match.

The Lady Coyotes opened the match with a 30-24 win, capitalizing on 15 kills in the game. Game two saw Bethel grab the win as they held Wesleyan to only nine kills in the game. Wesleyan (11-7, 6-1) would rebound in game three, winning 30-24, as they knocked home 18 kills in the game. Bethel (10-9, 4-3) would pull out a 30-26 win in game four. Game five saw the Lady Coyotes score 10 of the 15 points on kills as they pulled off match win.

Claborn’s 29 kills was a match high, while Rhoades added 25, as the tandem outkilled the entire Bethel team, who had 47. Kelli Berg had 56 assists at the setter position, while Karissa Kent earned a spot in the 30-dig club with 36 digs, while Rhoades would add 27, Claborn 23 and Berg had 22. Rhoades would add three solo blocks and one assist block for top blocking honors for the Lady Coyotes.

Bethel was led by Heather Palmateer with 12 kills, while Nicole Schmidt and Sarah Thompson had nine each. Robyn Larson had 22 assists and Mallory Haedt had 13. Kristen Schrag just missed the 30-dig club with 29, while Kari Thimm had 20. Lindsey Oliver had one solo and seven assist blocks to lead the Threshers.

KWU is on the road at McPherson on Tuesday, before returning home to wrap up the first half of KCAC play against Ottawa on Thursday.

-- KWU SI --