Box Score MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The Bethel Pilots (12-2, 10-0) defeated the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars (8-8, 5-5) 3–1 on Saturday in Ariel Arena, earning the victory with set scores of 25–21, 19–25, 25–18, and 25–16.

Bethel started strong in the opening set, recording 16 kills and a .355 hitting percentage to take the early lead. Mount Vernon Nazarene responded in the second with a strong offensive stretch to even the match 1-1. 

The Pilots regained control in the third set, finishing with 10 kills while limiting errors to take a 2–1 match lead. Bethel then closed the match in the fourth set with 15 kills and just three errors, securing the 3–1 victory.

Thomas Dunkley led the Bethel offense with 15 kills. Santana Roybal-Henson contributed 10 kills and six blocks.

Setter McGwire Eigenrauch guided the offense with 42 assists, helping the Pilots finish the match with 50 kills and a .254 team hitting percentage.

Defensively, Bethel recorded 47 digs, with Christian Woumanga leading the team with 11, followed by Eduardo Kerkoski (10). 

With the victory, the Pilots improve to 10–0 in conference play.

Head Coach Jose Viera Cerame shared, "Today was a good day to start our second half of the season with a win. It wasn't our best game, but it was a good ice breaker since we didn't play for two weeks. Now we have to get ready to face the number two team in the nation, (the) Saint Xavier Cougars, next week." 

First serve against Saint Xavier (Ill.) (17-3, 7-0) is set for 3 PM on Saturday, Mar. 21. The faceoff will take place at Lee Lohman Arena on the campus of Saint Ambrose University. 

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