Lindsborg, Kan. – In one of the most hard-fought matches of the season, the Bethany College volleyball team battled through five sets and showcased incredible resilience before falling just short to York in a 3–2 decision (22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 27-25, 13-15) on Wednesday afternoon. Despite the final result, the night was highlighted by historic performances from key Swedes, as Bethany continued to show growth and determination in KCAC play.
The anchor of Bethany’s defense was libero Michelle Acevedo Ortiz, who delivered a career-high 57 digs, one of the most impressive single-match totals by any player in the conference this season. Her relentless coverage kept rallies alive all night and set the tone for the Swedes’ defensive identity. Acevedo Ortiz also added an ace and provided steady leadership in serve-receive, playing a major role in extending the match to five sets. Adding to the standout performances was setter Ashlynn Gehring, who recorded her fifth triple-double of the season, finishing with 12 kills, 23 assists, and 24 digs. Gehring was a force in every phase of the game—running the offense, attacking aggressively, and anchoring the back row when needed. Her versatility sparked key runs and helped Bethany seize momentum in the second and fourth sets.
Offensively, Alivia Cheatham led the Swedes with 15 kills, finding ways to score in big moments and keeping Bethany in system. Blanca Ariciniega Palma added 10 kills and 5 digs, while Jordyn Carpenter tallied 8 kills, 24 digs, and a service ace as she contributed on both ends of the floor. Michelle Acevedo Ortiz‘s defense also allowed Bethany to stay aggressive offensively, turning digs into transition opportunities. At the net, Antonette Carochi and Chloe Linville each contributed multiple blocks as the Swedes out-blocked York 12-4 in block assists, using their front-line presence to slow down opposing hitters. Bethany’s ability to win long rallies and apply defensive pressure fueled their comeback in the fourth set, where the Swedes fought off set point and closed with a 27-25 win to force the decisive fifth frame.
In the final set, Bethany continued to battle, tying the score multiple times behind Gehring’s setting and Ortiz’s back-row play, but York edged ahead late to take the match. As a team, the Swedes finished with 54 kills, 136 digs, 10 blocks, and 50 assists, demonstrating balance, depth, and toughness across all rotations. While the result slipped away, the match marked one of Bethany’s most complete efforts of the season, fueled by a record-breaking night from Acevedo Ortiz and another elite all-around performance from Gehring.
Up next, the Swedes are on the road at Ottawa University taking on the Braves, Saturday, October 18th starting at 12pm for Devo and 1pm for varsity.
