ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team faced Bethel University in a MIAC match Wednesday night in the Robertson Center. The Scots battled the Royals in the first two sets but ultimately lost, 26-24, 25-22, 25-11 to drop to 9-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Royals are now 12-4, 2-0 MIAC.

In the first set, Macalester led by as many as seven points and eventually held a 21-17 edge. After Bethel came back to tie the score at 23-23, a kill by junior right side Avery Rahe (Olathe, Kan./Olathe) gave the Scots set point. But the Royals tallied the final three points to take the set, 26-24. First year outside hitter Ella Cohen-Richie (Chicago, Ill./Univ. of Chicago Laboratory Schools) had five kills in the set.

The second set also was close, with Macalester taking a 20-19 edge late. Again the Royals finished strong, closing with a 6-2 run to win, 25-22. Senior outside hitter Adisa Preston (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) notched three kills to lead the Scots. The third set was all Bethel, which held a 14-4 advantage in kills and hit .367 en route to a 25-11 win. Rahe had three kills for Macalester.

Cohen-Richie tallied a team-leading seven kills and Rahe added six kills for the Scots. Preston contributed five kills and 12 digs, with senior libero Torrance Williams (Houston, Texas/Yes Prep Northbrook) registering 13 digs. Senior setter Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) had a double-double with 11 assists and 11 digs.

Macalester hosts No. 25 Gustavus in a MIAC match on Saturday, Oct. 5. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.