MANKATO, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team won its second five-set match in less than 24 hours, as the Scots defeated Bethany Lutheran in five sets, 18-25, 25-12, 25-14, 23-25, 15-10 Saturday afternoon at North Gym. The non-conference win came in the third meeting with the Vikings this season, with Macalester taking the rubber match. The Scots are now 9-3 on the season, while Bethany Lutheran falls to 2-9.

For the third consecutive match, Macalester dropped the first set before coming back to win. The Scots hit .409 in the second set, a 25-12 win, and held BLC to three kills and a -.273 hitting percentage in the third set, a 25-14 win. The Vikings responded in the fourth set, leading 15-8 at one point. Later in the set, the Scots tallied six straight points, including two kills by first year Gwen Wooten (Allen, Texas/Allen), to take a 20-18 edge. BLC fought back to tie the score at 23-23, and a pair of Macalester errors gave the Vikings a 25-23 win and forced a fifth set.

The Scots built an early 6-1 lead in the final set on the strength of two service aces and a kill by junior Eliza King (Novato, Calif./San Marin). Bethany Lutheran came within two points four times, including 12-10. But two kills by King and another from Wooten gave Macalester its fourth straight victory.

First year Adisa Preston (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) led all players with a career-high 19 kills to go with nine digs. King added 15 kills and a .297 hitting percentage while contributing 20 digs. Wooten also recorded a career high in kills with 10, and first year Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) delivered 43 assists to help the Scots hit .256 as a team. First year Torrance Williams (Houston, Texas/YES Prep Northbrook) racked up 23 digs to pace the defense.

Macalester, which opened its MIAC schedule with a five-set win over Carleton last night, continues conference play with a match at Gustavus on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The match begins at 7:00 p.m. in St. Peter, Minn.