MANKATO, Minn. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team continued Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play, facing off against Bethany Lutheran. Historically, the 'Jackets have always fared well against the Vikings, winning 16 out of 18 total matches coming into Friday. After a swift 70 minutes, the Yellowjackets found themselves walking out North Gymnasium with a 3-0 victory against the Vikings.
 
The match started with a service error from the Vikings, prompting the 'Jackets to jump out to a 4-2 lead courtesy of kills from freshman Sydney Smith (Milltown, Wis./Unity) and junior Maiana Stark (Germantown, Wis./Germantown). UWS started to break away in the set, but Bethany Lutheran fought back and trailed by just one point at 16-15. After a block from Stark and Kaylin Plautz (Elk River, Minn./Elk River), the Yellowjackets stepped on the gas and secured the first set 25-18, thanks to back-to-back kills from Smith.
 
Set number two was much closer, as both teams traded the lead early on. A Viking service error prompted the Yellowjackets to start a rally, taking an 11-7 lead. Despite a service ace from Colleen Claude (Centuria, Wis./Homeschool), the Vikings scored five-consecutive points and came within one point at 18-17. Teams traded points and the lead once again, until junior Emma Crandell (Forest Lake, Minn./Homeschool) and freshman Ayla Oltmanns (Gilbert, Minn./Duluth East) registered kills to win the second set 25-23.
 
Friday's third set began the same as the second, with teams fighting to take the lead early on. The Vikings would find themselves one point away at 10-9, but a costly service error would hinder their chances of securing a lead. The Yellowjackets would score six-consecutive points, three of which courtesy of Oltmanns, extending their lead to 16-9. From thereon UW-Superior would take control, only giving up four points and securing the match victory with a third set score of 25-13.
 
Stark finished her evening with nine kills, while Smith and Plautz finished with eight and seven kills, respectively. Stark would also pick up two service aces, two blocks and nine digs. Plautz was also credited with four blocks in the match.
 
Claude picked up two service aces of her own and dug nine, as well as adding 19 assists to her season total of 334. Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) had eight digs on the evening.
 
Leading the way for the Vikings was Lexiss Trygg with eight kills, while Katelyn Maag and Ella Blazina each contributed six.
 
The Yellowjackets are back in action Saturday as they face Martin Luther, with first serve set for 1 p.m. at the Luther Student Center.