NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College volleyball team continued its strong start to UMAC play with an exciting five-set win over rival Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) on Tuesday.

The Knights lost the opening set, but came back to win 23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 22-25, 15-11.

MLC responded after the opening set defeat by taking the next two games, but the Vikings led the fourth set wire-to-wire to force a fifth and deciding set.

In the final game, Lauren Paulsen came alive with four kills, and Hannah Willems ended the night with a solo block to give the Knights the final point and the win.

Kelsey Birschbach led the Knights with 13 kills, while Paulsen and Rhianna Hunter each finished with 10 kills. 

Willems led all players in the match with eight total blocks, including two solo blocks, and added eight kills.

Kate Aswege led MLC with 19 digs, while Kylie Wolf (28 assists, 18 digs) recorded her fifth double-double of the conference season. 

The Knights improved to 8-10 on the season and 7-1 in UMAC play with the win. BLC fell to 4-16 overall and 2-6 in league play with the loss.

MLC will return to action on Friday, October 15, when it travels to Northland for a match scheduled to start at 7 p.m.