Bethel volleyball moves to 4-0 in conference play with sweep of Southwestern
The Threshers allowed 14 points or less against the Moundbuilders and have won 21 straight sets over seven matches, led by Roman and Offerle
The Bethel College volleyball team swept Southwestern on Fall Fest weekend, allowing 14 points or less in each of the three sets. With this sweep, the Threshers have now won 21 straight sets over their past seven matches, including four straight KCAC conference wins.
“I really haven't thought about it at all,” said head coach Adriana Leake when asked about the winning streak. “I didn't realize that was the case until I read about it in the post from the Bethel College Athletics Facebook page. We really are just focused on taking each game as it comes. Making sure we aren't overlooking any opponents and setting the standard high for ourselves each game, no matter who we're playing.”
Against Southwestern, the Threshers put on a dominant performance on both offense and defense, hitting at a .359 percentage, and holding the Moundbuilders to a -.055 hitting percentage.
“Our block is so good,” said freshman Abby Koontz, a defensive specialist from Newton. “I think most teams rarely see a block so consistent and so big which makes them flustered and start making mistakes. Because of our block, it makes defense in the back row so easy.”
Koontz, a big part of the Threshers’ back row that coach Leake describes as a “gritty back row that just refuses to give up easy points,” led the Threshers in digs on the match with nine. The Threshers had three players with four blocks or more on the match including Darla Crow (7), Jordan Boone (5), and Laci Ownbey (4).
The Threshers’ offense also excelled, led by setter Mia Roman. When asked about the Threshers’ new one setter system, coach Leake had this to say:
“It's been great,” said Leake. “We obviously miss [Kaity] Shima and everything she brought to this team, but it's great that Mia is a 5'10 pure athlete that can hold her own across the front row. Having one setter really helps with the flow of offense so that's been fun to watch. Mia is also just such a gamer. She's the type of player you want on the floor because she makes the big plays and knows how to win.”
Roman earned KCAC Setter of the Week honors this past week, capping it off with a 30 assist performance versus Southwestern. She wasn’t alone on that list however, as outside hitter Cameron Offerle joined her as KCAC Attacker of the week, after adding 10 kills in the Fall Fest sweep.
The Threshers are on a hot streak, but to them, the streak does not mean anything without postseason and KCAC conference success.
“Our mindset moving forward is to play our game,” said Koontz. “Nothing changes no matter what team we are playing: Execute the game plan coach [Leake] gives us, have the most energy in the gym, and know that we’ve put in the work to get the job done. We have tough games coming up and we’re excited for the challenge to continue to compete for the conference title.”
Bethel will be tested against #24 ranked McPherson College in McPherson on Wednesday at 7 p.m.