LINDSBORG, Kan. (BethanySwedes.com) – The Swedes hosted their first home game of the season against the Peru State Bobcats in an exciting five match contest. Swedes dominated early leading the first set 13-8. The Bobcats were then able to find some momentum and came back to lead the set 17-15. The Swedes hit the gas and tied up the set at 20-20 where they continued to be aggressive at the net winning the set 25-22 with two incredible kills by Zola Moore and Atlantis Jamerson.
Beginning of set two, Swedes went point for point with the Bobcats, battling every play tying at 8-8. Momentum then swung in favor of the Bobcats where they went on a dangerous run leading the set 15-10. Swedes found some success but weren’t able to overcome the deficient losing the set 25-19.
Out of the gates in set three, both teams battled every point with several ties at 5-5, 12-12, and 14-14. Peru State then took advantage of a hitting error and went on a five-point run making it 19-14. Bethany regrouped and responded by closing the lead to two points. The Bobcats continued to make good plays leading the set late until set point 24-18. With the Swedes almost out of the set, they found a way to make a comeback with zero errors to spare with Madison McGuire earning three kills, tying the set at 24-24. Needing to win the set by two, the Swedes took the set 28-26 after multiple hitting errors made by the Bobcats and again with McGuire earning another critical kill.
Both teams started the fourth set with point for point action with Peru State able to earn a slight advantage at 14-10. Bethany struggled to close the gap throughout the set. The Bobcats extended the lead to 19-14. The Swedes continued to fight for every ball, but the Bobcats didn’t open the door for a run, winning the set 25-16.
Both teams tied at two sets won, this contest was taken to the fifth and deciding set of the night. Playing to 15 to win, the Bobcats came out hot earning a 7-4 lead. The Swedes found their footing to tie it up at 7-7, but Peru State would again go on a run to make it 14-9. Looking like a Bobcat win, the Swedes heroically fought back, again with zero errors to spare, forcing the Bobcats to make several errors. Bethany capitalized on the errors and dominated the net tying the set up at 14-14 after a kill from Jamerson. Again, win by two, the Swedes were led by Jamerson who gave them the advantage at 15-14. Bobcats managed to tie the set up again at 15-15, but Jamerson and McGuire for the Swedes, hit lights out and took the win at 17-15.
Madison McGuire tied for a team lead with Atlantis Jamerson with 10 kills, but McGuire led the team with a .500 kill percentage on 16 attempts. Mandy Knipp tallied 19 assists to go along with 12 digs. Michelle Acevedo Ortiz led Bethany in digs with 14. Jamerson tallied the lone solo block, and McGuire tallied 7 total blocks on the evening.
As a team, the Swedes recorded 7 service aces compared to the Bobcats 5.
Up Next…
The Swedes take on Hannibal-LaGrange University and Benedictine College in a triangular hosted by Benedictine College Friday, August 25 beginning at 5pm in Atchison, Kansas.
