Volleyball Falls in Heartbreaking KCAC Championship

The Bethany College volleyball team battled in the KCAC tournament hosted by Bethel College this past week. The Swedes took on Tabor College Friday evening before advancing to the championship match against Bethel College Saturday night.

Battling against the Blue Jays Friday evening, Bethany quickly won the first two games before losing the third. However, the Swedes bounced back and won game four and the match, 25-23, 25-14, 16-25, 25-21.

Senior Lisa Runnebaum led the Bethany offense with 14 kills. Junior Kristi Parker added 12 kills while senior Stephanie Adamson had eight. Runnebaum also had an impressive performance in the back row as she had a team-leading 26 digs. Adamson contributed a solid 11 digs while junior Megan Wendell had 10. Wendell had 19 assists as senior Emily Venrick had 14. Senior Angelisa Sexson, Wendell, and Adamson all had two assisted blocks each.

Following Bethany's win Friday evening, the KCAC post-season honors were announced. The big story of the evening was senior outside hitter Lisa Runnebaum, Seneca, Kan., being named the KCAC Player of the Year as well as a unanimous pick for 1st team All-KCAC. Junior Kristi Parker, Mulvane, Kan., was also named 1st team All-KCAC. Senior Emily Venrick, Longmont, Colo., was named 2nd team All-KCAC for her setting efforts during the 2008 season.

Entering the KCAC championship match against Bethel College Saturday evening, players and fans could not have asked for a more intense and action-packed match. Bethel won game before Bethany's resilience shone through and won game two. The Threshers would again grab game three, but the Swedes pounced in game four, forcing the fifth match. With a late lead in game five, the Swedes saw the match slip through their fingertips as they could not hold on, suffering a heartbreaking loss, 23-25, 28-26, 22-25, 25-20, 12-15.

Runnebaum showed volleyball fans everywhere why she was the well-deserving player of the year as she closed out her collegiate playing career. She and her cannon of an arm had an inspiring 18 kills, 24 digs, three assisted blocks, and one solo block. Adamson had a phenomenal night in the back row as she tacked up a team leading 32 digs. Senior Brittany Westenfelder added 25 digs while Wendell contributed 23. Senior Meagan Laughary and Parker each had 8 kills while Wendell had 7. Adamson and Sexson both contributed 6 kills as well. Parker headed the Bethany front row defense with four assisted blocks. Wendell racked up 22 assists while Venrick had 21.

Bethany ends their impressive 2008 season with both a second place KCAC regular season and post-season tournament finish. The Swedes were 15-3 on the year and 19-10 overall.