The no. 10-ranked College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (1-0, 0-0 MIAC) defeated Northwestern College (0-1 ) in the team's season opener 3-1 in St. Paul, Minn..

The Blazers, who return nine players from last year's team, started the match ahead 21-15, but the Eagles soon tied the game at 23.  Both teams exchanged point for point until the CSB stretched the margin to win 30-28.

The Blazers jumped out to a 12-5 lead over the Eagles, but Northwestern never backed down, eventually tying the game at 16.  Again, the teams exchanged leads until two Blazer attacking errors allowed Northwestern to edge CSB 27-25.

With the score tied 1-1, the Blazers kicked into gear, defeating the Eagles 28-26 and 26-24 and clenching their first win of the year.

Junior right side hitter Kayli Schumacher (East Grand Forks, MN, Sacred Heart) led the Blazers with 19 kills followed by sophomore outside hitter Chelsie Sobieck (Wyoming, MN, Forrest Lake), who had 13 kills and 17 digs.  Senior setter Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) had 46 assists.

The Blazers travel to Seattle, Wash. to play in the Puget Sound Invite on Fri., Sept. 4 and Sat., Sept. 5.  Their first match is against Pacific Lutheran at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Box Score