WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's volleyball team was topped by No. 22 Bethel 3-1 in Crossroads League action on Saturday afternoon.

The shorthanded Lady Lancers (6-9, 1-6 CL) took the opening set but were unable to grab another set from the 22nd ranked Pilots (16-3, 5-2 CL). 

This game marked the third NAIA ranked opponent that Grace has played in their last four matches.

The first set was hotly contested as the two traded points through much of the match.

The Lady Lancers used a pair of mini-runs to build a 23-17 lead and were poised to take the set.

The Pilots rallied to win six of the next seven points and trailed by just one at 24-23.

The next rally saw Jadyn Ross try a pair of hard-hit attacks before ultimately hitting off the Bethel block and out of bounds to secure the 25-23 set one victory.

Ross was the catalyst on offense for Grace in the first set, racking up six kills.

Katie Swanson started the second set with a kill, but the Lady Lancers quickly found themselves in hole as the Pilots jumped out to a 17-8 lead.

Anna Frey and Grace Erwin rattled off three straight points that reinvigorated the Lady Lancers. Fueled by the turn in momentum, Grace went on a 9-4 run and drew within 22-18.

Bethel, unfazed by the Grace run, eventually secured the set 25-19.

Grace would fall in the third set in a one-sided affair. The Lady Lancers attacked at a -.032 percentage on their way to a 25-14 defeat.

In what would prove to be the deciding set, Grace fell in a hard-fought fourth. In set four Grace hit a .216 clip but was unable to overcome Bethel's resilient defense.

The Lady Lancers withstood three set points before falling 29-27.

Cassadi Colbert was lethal on offense with a .615 attack percentage for the day. Frey totaled 17 kills to lead all players.

Morgan Syoen led Grace with 20 assists, and Emily Peterson chipped in 18.

Grace will return to action on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. as they travel to take on Goshen.