Tabor took command of the Swedes (0-4) from the start.

"That's the kind of game you just want to finish as strong as you can, and try to make the statement that we're here to play ball," coach Amy Ratzlaff said. "It was nice to see us come out ready to play in a game that's not necessarily against a big rival."

In that first game, Tabor registered 13 kills in 22 attacks for a .591 kill percentage-a mark that pleased Ratzlaff.

"I feel we mixed our offense up and our hitters did a nice job," Ratzlaff said. "We tried to work on some new offense, so it was a good night to do a little experimenting."

The next two games were much the same as Bethany offered little resistance.

The Bluejays registered 34 kills in the match, led by Staci Whitcomb (8), last week's KCAC player-of-the-week, and Ashley Malcolm (7), while Anne Gunden, the KCAC setter-of-the-week last week, had 14 assists.

"Ashley continues to make good decisions and she's just a great athlete," Ratzlaff said.

"She plays the right side very well, but she's also very effective on the left side-so it makes her twice as effective."

The Bluejays' defense was staunch throughout the night, registering 42 digs in three games. Whitcomb had 11, Hein nine and Traci Neufeld eight.

"Because our blocking was so effective, our defense read the hitters better," Ratzlaff said. "We didn't have as many digs as we could have, but that was because our block was so effective-and I wouldn't trade that out at all."

Hein added 12 blocks, including five solo.

"That was absolutely unbelievable-I've never seen anything like that," Ratzlaff said of Hein's blocking. "And they really did end plays. She had more blocks than we had anybody have kills per game."

The Bluejays committed only six serving errors in 88 attempts (.932 percent).

"The six errors don't bother me, but the four errors in the second game is kind of unsettling," Ratzlaff said. "But overall, I'm pleased with our serving."

Tabor successfully returned 39 of Bethany's 42 serves (.929 percent).

"We did a good job serve receiving, and when that's effective our offense is amazing," Ratzlaff said. "Serve-receive is a mental thing that we just need to work through sometimes."

The victory pushed Tabor's season record to 5-6 overall and 4-0 in KCAC play, planting them in a three-way tie with Bethel and Friends.

"It was a great night because everybody got to see court time, and that's always nice," Ratzlaff said.

"But more importantly, we found out very quickly that we can't overlook these games we are supposed to win.

"I tell them every conference match is a collegiate match and those other girls are playing college ball for a reason."

Coming-Tabor was scheduled to host Southwestern, 0-4 in the KCAC, on Tuesday night before facing its first showdown with Bethel College on Thursday night at North Newton.

"It doesn't matter how either team is when we play Bethel College," Ratzlaff said. "It's always a rivalry, no matter how strong or weak either team is.

"It should be an incredible match and I hope we'll have the usual support of our crowd because we really will need them," she added. "It'll be a dynamic night of volleyball."

The Bluejays remain busy over the weekend with a trip to Bethany, Okla., for the Southern Nazarene Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

"Those will be some very tough matches," Ratzlaff said. "I'm really excited to play those tough matches where we are in our schedule because it kind of refreshes our fire. It'll be a nice yardstick to see how much we've improved and what we still need to work on."