MARION, Ind. --- The Bethel Pilots (15-13, 5-8) faced their toughest challenge of the season with the reigning NAIA Champion #7 Indiana Wesleyan (23-2, 13-0) in the Troyer Fieldhouse on Saturday but fell in straight sets 14-25, 15-25, 14-25.

Despite the loss, Maddy Payne totaled nine kills, and Haley Biedenbach had 20 assists, but attack errors and an efficient Wildcat offense bested the Pilots.

The Pilots kept the opening set close until the 3-3 tie, but IWU went on a 4-1 run and was the first to hit 20 points at 20-12, then won the first set 25-14. The second set was controlled by the Wildcats by quickly getting to a 19-12 lead and putting it away 25-15, with the third set looking similar, losing the set 25-14 and sweeping the match.

In the Crossroads League standings, Bethel sits in seventh behind the Spring Arbor Cougars and the Huntington Foresters, tied 5-7, and still in the fight to make the Crossroads League Tournament. The Pilots' next match is with the Goshen Maple Leafs for the second meeting of the US Highway 20 Cup this season at the Ruth Gunden Gymnasium in Goshen, Ind. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

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