MANKATO, Minn. - The Martin Luther College volleyball team lost 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 21-25, 27-25, 15-4) at Bethany Lutheran on Wednesday.

The winner of Wednesday's match would secure the fifth and final spot in the UMAC Postseason Tournament, with both teams looking for their eighth win in conference play.

MLC started strong, winning a contested first set, but the Vikings were able to tie the match 1-1 with a 25-23 second-set win.

The Knights once again took control in the match in the third set to take a 2-1 lead, but the Vikings were able to force a fifth game after taking a wild, back-and-forth fourth set 27-25.

MLC held an early 2-1 lead in the fifth game, but the Vikings scored seven straight points to take a commanding lead, and then closed the match strong to secure the win and the final UMAC tournament spot.

Kati Aguilar led MLC with 10 kills and added 10 digs. Samantha Paul led the Knights with seven blocks, while Jewel St. Germaine finished with a team-best 24 digs. 

The loss marked the end of the Knights streak of nine straight seasons in the conference tournament.

MLC fell to 7-23 overall and 7-8 in UMAC play in defeat. BLC improved to 10-17 on the season and 8-8 in league play with the win.

The Knights will close the season on Saturday, October 27, when they play at Northwestern-St. Paul. That match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.