The University of Wisconsin Superior took an early lead but could not hold on as Upper MIdwest Athletic Conference rival Bethany Lutheran College picked up a 3-2 victory in non-conference action at North Gymnasium in Mankato, Minnesota.

Both teams traded points to open the match, with game one knotted at 9-9 before Bethany Lutheran (5-10) ran off six consecutive points to jump out ahead. UW-Superior (4-13) had an answer, running off four straight points to pull within two at 15-13. After the Vikings extended their lead again to four points with 3-of-4 scores, the Yellowjackets would take the lead by running off six consecutive points,  taking a 20-18 lead and forcing Bethany Lutheran into a timeout. The two teams traded points the rest of the way, with UWS coming out on top 25-23 thanks to a game point service error by the Vikings.

The second set opened with more streaks from each team, but the Yellowjackets turned a 10-8 deficit into a 14-11 lead with 6-of-7 scores going the way of UW-Superior. Bethany Lutheran would scratch back within one on multiple occasions but could never tie the score as the Yellowjackets held on for a 25-22 victory to take a 2-0 lead. Game three quickly got away from the Superior as the Vikings streaked to a 25-15 victory. The fourth set began with the Yellowjackets jumping out to an early lead of as much as 10-6, but BLC scratched its way back into match, eventually tying up the score at 12-all. After trading points the length of the match, the Vikings would eventually push their lead out to 22-20 and hold on to that lead for a 25-23 victory forcing a decisive fifth set.

The streaky scores continued in game five as a 4-1 lead for Bethany Lutheran became a 7-6 lead for UWS. The Yellowjackets had the lead at the switch, taking an 8-7 and then 9-7 lead, but the Vikings would tie it up at 10-10. The teams would remain tied to 12-12 until Bethany ran off the final three scores to claim the match with a 15-12 win.

Freshman outside hitter Brylee Colligan (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji H.S.) had a match-high 19 kills for the Yellowjackets while hauling in 10 digs to complete a double-double Senior right-side hitter Alexis Landherr (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti H.S.) had 14 kills and sophomore outside Leah Nightingale (Dayton, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's H.S.) added 12. Sophomore setter Emily VerWay (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley H.S.) had 38 assists and a team-high 13 digs. UWS hit .216 for the match while Bethany Lutheran hit .243 as a team. Megan Rutt had 15 kills to lead the Vikings, while Jasmine Carlson had a match-high 50 assists and 11 digs.

UP NEXT
The Yellowjackets will open up conference play Saturday as they travel to New Ulm, Minnesota to take on Martin Luther College. Opening serve is set for 3:00 p.m.