MISHAWAKA, IND. –IU Columbus outlasted Bethel Women's Volleyball in a back-and-forth five-set battle inside Gates Gymnasium. Taylor Delp powered the Pilots with 19 kills and Bethel twice rallied from set deficits, but IU Columbus closed out the decisive fifth set to remain unbeaten. Senior Lily Vester reached a career milestone in the match, recording her 500th career dig on her fifth dig of the night.
Quick Facts
Location: Gates Gymnasium | Mishawaka, Ind.
Match One Results: IU Columbus def. Bethel 3-2 (25-14, 24-26, 25-18, 17-25, 15-11)
Records: Bethel - 1-4 | IU Columbus - 5-0
NAIA Top-25: BU - NR | IUC - NR
MATCH RECAP
SET ONE
- IU Columbus opened the set on a 3-0 run capped by kills from Cora Baker and Bailey Stevens, building a lead it held the rest of the way.
- Bethel twice climbed within one, cutting an 11-6 deficit to 11-10 on kills from Taylor Delp, Liberty Pierson and Isabelle Schlundt, but IU Columbus answered immediately with a 4-0 run to push back in front.
- IU Columbus closed out the set 25-14.
SET TWO
- IU Columbus jumped out to an early 5-0 lead behind a pair of Bailey Stevens aces, before Bethel answered with four straight points to get back within one.
- The set turned into a back-and-forth battle with eight ties and five lead changes down the stretch, including a tie at 23-23 after Bethel erased an IU Columbus set point.
- Bethel closed out the set 26-24, sealed by a Taylor Delp kill and a Delp service ace.
SET THREE
- IU Columbus built an early 9-4 cushion before Bethel answered with four straight points to close within one at 9-8.
- IU Columbus answered right back with four more in a row to push the lead to 17-11 and never let Bethel get closer than five the rest of the way.
- IU Columbus closed out the set 25-18.
SET FOUR
- Bethel built a 9-6 cushion on a three-point run before IU Columbus fought back to tie the set at 17-17.
- From there, Bethel closed the set on an 8-0 run, capped by back-to-back Taylor Delp kills.
- Bethel closed out the set 25-17.
SET FIVE
- IU Columbus opened with a run to a 6-3 lead behind Sadie Egan and Cora Baker.
- Bethel twice cut the deficit to two points down the stretch but couldn't get over the hump.
- IU Columbus closed out the set 15-11 to clinch the match.
KEY PILOTS
Next Up
- Bethel heads to Fort Wayne, Ind. for the Onset Invitational where they will face UM-Dearborn and Campbellsville University on Friday, Aug. 21.
- Live Stats can be found HERE.
Next Home Match
- Bethel hosts Marian University on Wednesday, Aug. 26th at 6:00 PM for the Crossroads League opener.
- Live Stats can be found HERE.
- Live Video can be found HERE.
- Tickets can be found HERE.
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