BOWLING GREEN Ky. - The Bethel Volley Cats dropped their first two matches in the MSC/SSAC Crossover Challenge/Vette City Classic Friday. The Wildcats fell in the morning match to new NAIA member Thomas More 3-0. TMC competed in NCAA DIII last season. Bethel fell 20-25, 11-25, and 13-25. Hannah McGowan led the Cat attack with 13 kills on 33 attempts and she also had 10 digs. Katelyn Van Hooser tallied 11 assists.
The Cats fell short against the Skyhawks of Point University Friday evening 3-2 (11-25, 13-25, 25-22, 25-22, 14-16). The Skyhawks jumped out to a two sets to none lead, but Bethel rallied back to force a fifth and deciding set. The Cats led most of the final set, but Point composed a 3-0 run to win the match. McGowan led the Cats with 18 kills on 55 attempts, Rachael Gunn added 9 kills and Abigail Wiser contributed 8 kills. Van Hooser and Maggie Brooks posted 24 and 10 assists respectively. Brianna Monk had 29 digs. Madison Ralph contributed with 11 digs.
Coach Starla Cupples said, "Day one was a learning experience. In the first game we were inconsistent against a tough Thomas More team. In the second game we fought back and although we dropped a heartbreaker in five, I feel we grew as a team. Heads are high and we'll be fighting for those wins Saturday."
Bethel faces the University of the Cumberlands Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and wraps up against Brescia at 5 p.m.
The Lady Cats are 1-1 versus the Patriots and have a commanding 9-1 lead in the all-time series against Brescia.
The matches are being played at Ephram White Park.
Live stats:
http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=camp
The team opens the home season on August 27th against Cumberland University at 7 pm.
