Lindsborg, Kan. – The Bethany College volleyball team showed heart and determination Saturday, October 25th, battling through long rallies and intense stretches of play in a three-set loss (15–25, 18–25, 13–25) to Oklahoma Wesleyan inside Hahn Gymnasium.
From the first serve, the Swedes embraced the challenge of facing one of the conference’s toughest opponents. After a slow start in the opening frame, Bethany regrouped in the second set, hitting an impressive .325 as the offense began to click behind Ashlynn Gehring, who led the way with eight kills and 11 assists. Blanca Ariciniega Palma added seven kills on a .240 clip, while Jordyn Carpenter contributed seven kills and 10 digs, showcasing her all-around game.
Defensively, Michelle Acevedo Ortiz anchored the back row with 14 digs, while Chloe Linville and Antonette Carochi combined for key touches at the net that kept several rallies alive. Setter Danairis Ortiz Reyes added nine assists, one ace, and four digs to round out the balanced Swede effort.
Though the final score didn’t swing in their favor, Bethany’s composure and energy kept them in every set. The Swedes’ second-set performance in particular reflected their ability to elevate their play and match the intensity of top-level competition. The Swedes return to action next week looking to build on the momentum gained from Saturday’s spirited performance.
Up next, the Swedes are hosting the Tabor College Bluejays, Wednesday, October 29th starting at 5pm for Devo and 7pm for varsity in Hahn Gymnasium.
