ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University volleyball team (17-7, 7-1 MIAC) battled to a 3-2 victory over Bethel University (17-6, 7-1) on Saturday handing the Royals their first MIAC loss of the season and now tied with the Wildcats for the second spot in the conference. Senior setter, Lucia Neuman paced the Wildcats to the victory earning her 1,000th career assist. 

Senior outside hitter, Lexie Petrick had a team best 19 kills with 28 digs and four aces scoring 23 points in the five set match with an attack percentage of .349. Liz Rosen followed with 12 kills and 19 digs with one ace while Mallory Johnson had 10 kills hitting .244 with three blocks. Neuman tallied her second consecutive double double with 23 assists and 22 digs.

St. Kate's took the first set from the Royals 25-22 as both teams went back and forth tying the set ten times. Rosen led the Wildcats in the first set with four kills as Johnson and Petrick recorded three a piece. The Wildcats' dominated in the second set with a score of 25-17 holding onto the lead throughout as the Royals tried to take over twice, but didn't have enough. 

Bethel didn't give up though reversing set two as they took down St. Kate's 25-17 before tying the match 2-2 with a 25-20 win to force a fifth. It was all St. Kate's in the final set winning 15-8 as they found themselves 5-1 early. The Royals put up a solid effort inching back but it wasn't enough to slow down the momentum of the Wildcats'. 

The 17-7 Wildcats will travel to Duluth on Friday for a 7 pm match against the St. Scholastica. St. Kate's has one regular season match remaining at Butler Center hosting Carleton College on Saturday, November 2nd for Senior Day.