Lourdes capped a perfect non-conference portion of its season with a 25-17, 25-20, 23-25, 25-20 victory over Bethel (Ind.) on Friday evening at Goodman Gymnasium in Mishawaka, Ind.
 
With the victory, the 17^th-ranked Gray Wolves improved to 22-0 overall heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
 
"This was a good win for us at this point of the season," head coach Greg Reitz stated.  "We were pushed by a strong team and had to dig deep to fight for the match.  We hit well in a couple of sets, but were off a bit in the others.  We are going to need to get back into the gym to iron out a few things before our next match.  We need to get back to our consistent ways with our serve and pass game as well as defensively."
 
Nine straight points behind the service of Molly Shonk (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley H.S.) gave the Gray Wolves an 18-5 advantage in the opening set, a lead they would not relinquish.  Lourdes hit .323 in the opening set while holding the Pilots to an .086 clip.
 
In the second it was again Shonk's serve, which included a pair of aces, which propelled Lourdes to a quick 11-1 lead.  Bethel was able to battle back to close within two, but was never able to pull even. 
 
The third set had 11 ties and six lead changes before the Pilots tallied the final two points to extend the match.  Lourdes took the lead early in the fourth set and gradually increased its advantage before putting away the match.
 
Stephanie Ruffing (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty H.S.) led Lourdes with 16 kills and hit .400 while Ave Stout (Huntertown, Ind./Bishop Luers H.S.) added 15 kills while hitting at a .483 clip.  Stephanie Richards (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg H.S.) and Shonk both recorded double-doubles.  Richards had 14 kills and 10 digs while Shonk finished with 10 kills and 14 digs while registering four aces.
 
Meghan Birr (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores H.S.) handed out 54 assists in the match while Michi Jimenez (Vega Baja, P.R./Juan Quirindongo Morell H.S.) posted a match-high 17 digs for the Gray Wolves. 
 
Cassie Sears led Bethel (17-14) with 12 kills while Sami Leach added 10 kills and 13 digs for the Pilots.
 
Lourdes will continue its four-match road trip on Wednesday evening, traveling to Dearborn, Mich. to face Michigan-Dearborn.  First serve is set for 7 pm. at the UMD Fieldhouse.