MANKATO, Minn. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team couldn't have asked for a better start than the one they've gotten in 2021. Well, that's not necessarily true – they could have a perfect record instead of one with a blemish on it, but regardless, the Yellowjackets exited Saturday's match by bouncing back from their lone setback of the season to date.
 
Following Thursday's four-set loss at St. Scholastica, the Yellowjackets got back in the win column, defeating Bethany Lutheran 3-1 at the North Gym in Mankato Saturday.
 
The Yellowjackets (6-1, 4-1 UMAC) showed little, if any, effects from Thursday's loss, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the match before closing things out with a convincing fourth-set win.
 
In the opening set the Yellowjackets started hot, scoring the first five points and eventually rolling a 10-2 lead. The Vikings got on a roll of their own, however, and closed the gap to two, 17-15 when the Yellowjackets called timeout. The break in the action didn't slow the Vikings' momentum, and they drew even at 18-18. Things stayed close the rest of the set, but the Yellowjackets never let the Vikings take the lead. A Bethany Lutheran attack error broke a 19-19 tie and the 'Jackets took it the rest of the way, closing it out 25-23.
 
Like the first set, the Yellowjackets opened up an early lead in the second, moving ahead 7-1. Unlike the first set, however, Bethany Lutheran was able to close the gap and eventually take the lead, pulling ahead 16-15. Their lead would only grow to two points before the Yellowjackets came back, tying the set 18-18 on a Maddy Cabe (Ashland, Wis./Ashland) kill. Three straight Bethany Lutheran errors gave the 'Jackets a cushion and a service ace from Cassy Teff (Foley, Minn./Foley) gave the Yellowjackets a 25-19 win and a commanding lead in the match.
 
Bethany Lutheran didn't go away quietly, and cut the Yellowjacket lead in half with a 25-21 win in the third set. The Vikings took the early lead in the frame, but the Yellowjackets came back to lead 10-8. The Vikings then went on a 9-0 run to move in front 17-10. That lead evaporated quickly, as the Yellowjackets answered with a 6-0 run to pull within one. Bethany Lutheran had an answer, however, and had a strong push at the end to close out the set.
 
The Yellowjackets saved their best for last Saturday, turning a tight 6-4 lead into a comfortable 15-8 advantage in the fourth set. The Vikings made it interesting, pulling to within 18-14, but the lead was too much, and the 'Jackets cruised to a 25-17 win in the final set, taking the match 3-1.
 
Alexie Pryd (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove Senior) was the only Yellowjacket to reach double figures in kills, finishing with a match-high 15. Megan Holz (Savage, Minn./Burnsville) had 30 assists to go along with five service aces and six digs. Pryd, Teff, and Hailey Atwood (Big Lake, Minn./Big Lake) all finished with 14 digs, to pace the Yellowjackets defensively.
 
The Yellowjackets return home Thursday, March 25 to host nationally ranked Northwestern. The first serve is set for 5:00 p.m. at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.
 
UW-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics will follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols recommended by the Douglas County Health Department. To conduct our events in the safest manner possible, spectators will not be permitted at home athletic events played indoors. Fans can follow the Yellowjackets through our online content provider, the iFan Sports Network. Fans can also listen to contests live on the radio home of Yellowjacket sports, 91.3 KUWS.