The Bethany College volleyball team headed east this past Wednesday as they took on the University of Saint Mary for their first conference match.

Looking for their first KCAC win, the squad hit the road to Leavenworth. "I thought we played very well in games one and two," said head coach Nathalea Stephenson. "We picked up things I think previously we would not have, and overall our intensity was better."

Thanks to strong blocking, the Swedes swept the University of St. Mary, 25-13, 25-20, 26-24.

"I thought we blocked very well," Stephenson said. "We blocked their big hitter, Stephanie Wright, and we blocked her right off the bat. I think that helped set the tone for the match."

Senior Megan Wendell chalked up a .417 hitting percentage on the night with five total kills. Senior Serah Pele-Lafo had 13 kills, senior Kristi Parker tallied eight, and freshman Samantha Andersen chalked up six. Anderson and senior Katy Troutman each had 15 digs while sophomore Catherine Spicer added 12. Parker and Pele-Lafo both had five assisted blocks while junior April Roble and senior Carrie DeRoo each had three. Troutman had three service aces while junior Anna Alexis added two.

Bethany then headed to Nebraska for a tournament at Hastings College. The squad faced teams with national votes -- College of the Ozarks and Hastings College -- in which Stephenson feels, "Playing these ranked teams will hopefully keep preparing us for conference. Also by playing ranked teams, it shows us how we need to be playing to get to the national level." Unfortunately, the Swedes caught a tough break in an injury ridden weekend as both varsity Swede setters suffered injuries on Friday.

They first battled Peru State College, falling 3-1 with scores of 25-16, 18-25, 8-25, 22-25. Seniors Parker and Pele-Lafo led the squad with nine kills and six kills, respectively, followed by Andersen with five and junior Anna Alexis with four. Troutman tallied 16 digs on the night as Andersen added 15. Wendell chalked up 14 assists while freshman Theresa Read had 12. Parker had five assisted blocks, with DeRoo close behind her with four.