The 23rd ranked College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (27-6, 9-2 MIAC) started off the NCAA tournament with a bang, stifling Simpson 3-1 by scores of 24-26, 25-10, 25-16, 25-15.
    In the first set CSB grasped a 23-19 lead, until Simpson rallied back and eventually won the set.   The Blazers did not falter, though, and cruised to a second set victory to even up the match.
    Saint Benedict kept the pace up throughout the third set, winning by another substantial margin.  CSB finally put away the match with an impressive fourth set victory in which they never trailed.
    The Blazers had a combined .289 hitting percentage during the match, where as the Storm posted a .077 team hitting percentage.  Individually, CSB received strong performances from first-year outside hitter Chelsie Sobieck (Wyoming, MN, Forrest Lake) (11 kills, 11 digs) and sophomore middle blocker Calleigh Brown (Buffalo, MN, Buffalo) (11 kills, six blocks).  Junior setter Beth Hanson (Fairbault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) contributed 38 assists and sophomore right side hitter Amber Wortz (Fairfax, MN, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop) led Saint Benedict in digs with 15.
    CSB plays Wisconsin Eau Claire at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14th at the University of St. Thomas.

For the box score, click here.

For more coverage of the NCAA Regional Tournament, click here.