BABSON PARK, Fla. — The Bethel Pilots (8-8, 4-3) faced a tough challenge against Webber International (9-1, 3-1), falling 3-0 (13-25, 21-25, 18-25) in the Sabbagh Athletic Center on Tuesday.
VS WEBBER INTERNATIONAL
Thomas Dunkley led the Pilots with 11 kills, hitting .273, while Pablo Tello added nine kills and an ace. Santana Roybal-Benson contributed seven kills and two blocks. McGwire Eigenrauch set the offense in motion with 16 assists, and Lucas Nascimento controlled the back row with five digs.
Webber International started strong in the first set, hitting .476 while limiting Bethel to a .154 attack percentage. Webber International took the lead with a kill by Carson Barnes. Bethel responded with a strong block from Roybal-Benson and Tello to cut the difference to 5-4.
However, the Warriors gained momentum with a service ace from Ayden Keeter, pulling ahead 10-6. Despite a kill from Dunkley and a block by Miloradovic, the Pilots struggled to find consistency, dropping the set 25-13.
The second set saw Bethel put up a stronger fight. Roybal-Benson and Tello recorded key kills to keep the Pilots close at 6-6. A block from Miloradovic and a kill by Dunkley brought Bethel within one at 17-16. The Pilots kept pushing, with a kill from Tello tying the set at 19-19, but Webber International ended up closing it out 25-21.
In the third set, Bethel started strong with kills from Roybal-Benson and Tello, taking an early 4-3 lead. The teams traded points, with Dunkley registering a crucial kill to keep the Pilots in contention at 11-10. However,
Webber International's offense proved too efficient, as the Warriors secured the set 25-18 and the match.
VS WARNER (FLA.)
The Pilots took a thrilling first set 36-34, dropped the second 23-25, and then closed out the match with 25-22 and 25-23 wins.
Jacob Massey led the Pilots with 12 kills, hitting an impressive .714. Thomas Dunkley followed with 11 kills, while Santana Roybal-Benson added 10 kills and seven blocks. Jack Hughes set up the offense with 29 assists and led the team in digs with six.
The opening set was a battle, featuring 17 ties and two lead changes.
Bethel took an early 7-2 lead with strong blocking from Roybal-Benson and Dunkley. Warner fought back, tying the game at 19-19. Both teams traded set points until a kill by Dunkley sealed the 36-34 win for Bethel.
In the second set, Warner responded with a close 25-23 win. The Pilots struggled offensively, hitting -.074 in the set, but Massey kept Bethel in the fight with key kills.
Bethel regained control, in the third set, hitting .296 as they took a 25-22 win. A strong start from Massey and a clutch kill from Tello helped the Pilots secure the set.
The Pilots closed out the match 25-23, with Roybal-Benson and Dunkley delivering crucial blocks and kills in the final points. This match marked the end of Bethel's spring break trip to Florida, where they competed in a series of hard matchups as part of their business trip.
Bethel will look to carry this momentum into their next match-up in the WHAC Conference, against Lawrence Tech (Mich.) at Southfield, MI on March 7th at 7 pm.
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