Sioux City, Iowa – The Central Methodist volleyball program began their national championship tournament run with a four-set win over Bethel (Ind.) in their first match of pool play Tuesday night in Sioux City, Iowa. 

Central will face Eastern Oregon Wednesday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Round of 16. The Pilots conclude their season with a 25-8 overall record. 

In the first set, the Eagles scored the first five points. Bethel was quick to respond, tying the set at 10-10, and then scoring five of the next six points. Central was able to trim the lead, but Bethel went on a 9-4 run to take the first set by a score of 25-18. 

The Eagles bounced back in the following set. In set two, the lead went back and forth for the first 10 points until Central went on a 21-11 run to take the second set 25-17. Tied at 1-1, BC quickly matched Central's intensity and took a 9-7 lead early in set three. Both sides continued to exchange points and remained even at 20-20. CMU would go on to claim five of the next six points to earn a 25-21 set three win. 

The Eagles then cruised to a 25-19 victory in set four, taking the match 3-1 and advancing to day two of pool play. 

Jordan Wolfe led the Eagles with 14 kills and a .270 hitting percentage. Grace Stumbaugh followed, hitting .250 with 11 kills on 28 swings. She also recorded three solo blocks.

Delaney Miller picked up two solo blocks and six block assists, while Elise Hardesty-Irvin dished out 23 assists. Marina Alonso picked up 12 assists. Defensively, Krystal Brauner collected 20 digs followed by Annabelle Maassen with 14 and Alonso with 10.

The Eagles will face the Eastern Oregan Wednesday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the final game of pool play.

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