The Bethany College women's volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss (22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 15-11) to rival Franciscan Thursday in non-conference action inside the Hummel Field House.
Junior Averie Braymer had a career performance with 13 kills on 28 attempts and just four errors with eight digs, three service aces, and three block assists. Junior Lesley Sanchez added nine kills on 31 attempts and two errors.
Senior Talia Gallagher finished with 35 assists, marking the eighth time this season she recorded at least 30 assists in a match. Junior Andie Clark recorded a career-high 25 digs and now has recorded double-digit digs in five straight matches.
The Bison were a force at the net with 18 block assists and two solo blocks. Freshmen Shayleigh Hornyak and Ashton Thomas finished with five block assists each.
Franciscan raced out to a 6-2 lead in the opening set, but the Bison tallied five straight points to take a lead. From there, the set was tightly contest with Bethany leading by as much as five before securing the 25-22 victory.
Bethany trailed by as much as eight points in the second set but scored six straight late in the set to pull to within two 24-22, but following a timeout, the Barons tallied the winning point.
The roles were reversed in the third set as Bethany raced out the big lead, opening up a seven-point advantage. Franciscan claimed the lead before BC scored eight of the last 11 points for the win.
Another tight set ensued in the fourth as the Bison were on the verge of sealing the set and the match, leading 23-21. But the Barons scored the final four points to force a game-deciding fifth set. Franciscan seemingly carried the momentum from the fourth into the fifth, scoring four of the first five points.
Bethany quickly retaliated for the 6-5 lead. Three consecutive service aces by the Baron pushed momentum back to the visitors, and they closed out set for the win.
BETHANY (7-11 overall) has more than a week off before hosting Saint Vincent Noon Saturday, October 5.
