Macalester vs. Bethel statistics

Laura Avena (So., Cesis, Latvia / Riga Gimnasium #1) hammered down 23 kills to lead Macalester to a 3-2 MIAC surprise over first-place Bethel.  The Scots pick up their first conference victory of the season and improve to 6-21 overall, 1-8 in the MIAC.  Bethel has its 10-match winning streak snapped in this upset defeat and drops to 20-7 on the year, 7-2 in MIAC play. 

Set scores were 25-16, 19-25, 14-25, 25-17 and 15-11.

Danielle Dweck (Sr., Sea Cliff, N.Y. / North Shore) handed out 40 assists  and had eight digs for the Scots.  Avena added 15 digs and six serving aces to her 23 kills. 

Taylor Tinkham (Sr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) added 13 kills and Glasha Marcon (Jr., Richmond, Calif. / Albany) led a solid Mac defensive effort with 20 digs.  Anna Trier (Jr., Sun Prairie, Wis.) contributed eight kills and 11 digs.

The Scots jumped out on top 18-9 in the opening set and went on for a nine-point win.  After Bethel claimed the second and third sets, Macalester responded by taking a commanding 16-5 lead in the fourth set, going on to win 25-17.  The Scots hit .323 in the fourth set.

In the fifth and decisive set, play was close until Mac turned an 11-11 tie into a 15-11 win with four straight points to close things out.

Bethel was led by Caitie Helle with 13 kills.

The Scots go for two in a row Wednesday (Oct. 26) when they host St. Olaf at 7 p.m.