Bethel blew past Bethany games one and two, 25-11, 25-14, respectively. The Swedes closed the gap with a crucial game three win 25-22 win. The Threshers of Bethel College grabbed an early fourth game lead, but Bethany took the game down to the wire, scoring three unanswered points late in the contest before Bethel closed out the match, winning 25-23.

Freshman Samantha Andersen led the Bethany offense with eight kills, followed by senior Serah Pele-Lafo with six. Freshman Shelby Broeckelman and junior April Roble each tacked on four kills. Senior Katy Troutman tallied 23 digs on the night, and freshman Theresa Read chalked up 14 assists while senior Megan Wendell added 11. Senior Carrie DeRoo and Pele-Lafo held their own at the night, each calculating six assisted blocks.

Bethany then headed to Ottawa University Thursday night. After the Swedes were rolling in games one and two with scores of 25-20, 25-22, the Braves responded with a clutch 27-25 win in set three. Ottawa stayed alive with a 25-19 win in game four, and then blew by the Swedes 15-5 in set five for the match win.

"We started strong in games one and two, and even had a chance to win in game three," said head coach Nathalea Stephenson. "But we are just not focused."

Senior Kristi Parker threw down 11 kills, followed by Pele-Lafo with eight and Andersen with seven. Wendell chalked up 23 assists while Read had 17. Troutman calculated 24 digs as Andersen added 22. Parker tallied eight assisted blocks on the night as Andersen added four assisted blocks and Roble totaled three.

"We had some young kids step up," Stephenson said. "Freshman Shelby Broeckelman came in and did a lot of good things for us. We are looking forward to more good things from her, and are excited about what she is doing."

The Swedes are now 3-6 in the KCAC, sitting them at eighth place, and 5-18 overall. The squad stays home all week, facing the University of St. Mary Monday, October 12 at 7 p.m., Sterling College Wednesday, October 14 at 7 p.m., and Kansas Wesleyan Saturday afternoon, October 17 at 1 p.m. before battling Avila College at 5.

"We are not focused on finishing matches," said Stephenson. "We are having mental errors, which seems to happen a lot this year."