NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College volleyball team lost the final three sets in a 3-1 defeat to Bethany Lutheran by the scores of 12-25, 25-23, 26-24 and 25-23 Tuesday.

The Knights dominated the first set, hitting .273 compared to .029 for the Vikings, but BLC quickly responded. 

First-year BLC middle hitter Megan Rutt helped turn the match in the second set, finishing with seven kills and one block in that set to help the Vikings tie the match 1-1.

The Knights battled, but were never able to regain the momentum of that first set, as the Vikings were effective on the attack (.212 for the match) and the block (10.0), and won the key points down the stretch of the final three sets to complete the win.

Jade St. Germaine led MLC with 16 kills, while Kira Grev finished with a double-double of 13 kills and a team-high 21 digs. Moriah Hackbarth and Grace Schultz finished with eight and seven kills, respectively.

Emily Neeb finished with 19 digs and three service aces. Hackbarth and Jenna Miller each had three blocks.

MLC fell to 4-11 on the season with the non-conference defeat, while BLC improved its record to 4-10.

The Knights will return to action at home on Friday, September 23, when they host St. Catherine for a match scheduled to start at 7 p.m.