WINONA, Minn. — Bethel came into Saturday's volleyball match against Saint Mary's University ranked No. 23 in the nation — and they gave the Cardinals a first-hand look why they earned that lofty ranking.
 
On the scoreboard, Bethel dealt the Cardinals a 3-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback — but nothing came easy for the Royals, as SMU gave them all they could handle all night long.
 
The first set started out all Bethel took control early in the opening set, racing out to a 10-3 lead. Three separate 3-0 Cardinal runs, however, cut into the BU advantage to three, 23-20, but the Royals held firm, winning the final two points for a 25-20 victory.
 
Both offenses came out swinging in the second set, trading points any chance they could. A pair of 4-0 runs late in the set would end up making the difference, as Bethel picked up its second straight set win, 25-17.
 
The third and final set proved to be the most competitive of the entire match. The Cardinals jumped out to an early and electric 3-0 lead, but Bethel wasted no time responding, scoring three of the next four points to knot the set at 4-4. The match would remain close the rest of the way, with Bethel coming up with the sweep-clinching 25-21 victory.

Ciarra McNally (Lewiston, Minn.) and Braidyn Ruetten (Holmen, Wis.) led the Cardinals in kills with nine each, while Mandy Schmidt (Mitchell, S.D.) and Larkin Clem (Elk River, Minn.) each dished out 14 assists, and DeJaye Baab (Wabasha, Minn.) contributed nine digs.
 
The Cardinals (3-6 MIAC, 7-18 overall) are back on their home court on Wednesday, playing host to St. Olaf in a 7 p.m. conference match at the Saint Mary's Gym.