The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (10-3 Overall, 1-0 MIAC) had a dominant showing against Bethel University (4-8 Overall, 0-1 MIAC) in the first match for MIAC play, winning 25-11, 25-20, 21-25 and 25-17.
 The Blazers looked like a force to be reckoned with in the first set of the match, jumping out to a 13-7 lead, highlighted by junior Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, MN, Hibbing), who contributed to seven straight points in a CSB 7-0 run.  In set two, the Royals started out strong, but fell victim to a 13-4 run by the Blazers.  Down 21-12, Bethel did not give in to the large deficit and fought back, making the score 24-20. But, one of sophomore Kayli Schumacher's (East Grand Forks, MN, Sacred Heart) seven kills finally put the Royals away.
 Set three saw the two conference foes give back-to-back blows to each other in an even match that drew the score to 20-20.  But Bethel, led by Bethany Shearer who put in 13 digs in the match, scored five of the next six points to win the set.
 Midway through the fourth set saw the two teams neck and neck again, as the score was tied at 12.  But the Blazers went on a 10-1 run that carried them to the victory of the set and match.  CSB had powerful performances from first-year Chelsie Sobieck (Wyoming, MN, Forrest Lake), who had 10 kills, and juniors Beth Hanson (Fairbault, MN, Bethlehem Academy), Andrea Millerbernd (Littlefork, MN, Littlefork-Big Falls) and Jaynes, who contributed 32 assists, 12 digs, and nine kills and 11 digs, respectively.  Shearer and Jennifer Stoa paved the way for the Royals, with Stoa collecting 11 kills.
 Next up for the Blazers is a road trip to the Simpson Tournament in Indianola, Iowa during Sept. 19-20.  Saint Benedict's first match of the tourney is against Wartburg College at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 19.

CSB-BU Box Score