STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Ripon's volleyball team continued their early season success Friday night during the first day of the Pointer Invitational, hosted by UW-Stevens Point. The Red Hawks won their first match of the day in four sets against Aurora University (2-3), improving their season record to 5-0. That winning streak came to an end in the nightcap, a three-set loss to Bethel (Minn.) University (7-0), which entered the tournament ranked 12th nationally in Division-III.

In the day's first match, Ripon lost the first set 25-23, snapping an 11-set winning streak. The Red Hawks would rebound however to take the final three sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-21). Katie Berrell led all players with 14 kills, while Kat Kulas added 12, to go along with a team-high three block assists. Stacie Klika also chipped in with 21 digs, while Abbi Williamson led the way with 35 assists.

In Ripon's second match of the day, #12 Bethel finally handed the Red Hawks their first loss of the season, winning 25-15, 25-14, 25-10. Ripon (5-1) was led by Berrell's nine kills, to go along with her seven digs. Aubreigh Zimmerman added five kills, while Maddie Koster led the team with 10 digs. Williamson finished with a team-high 15 assists.

The Red Hawks will be in action again on Saturday in the second and final day of the Pointer Invitational. They will face Bethany Lutheran and Macalester at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.