The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (1-5 overall, 0-0 MIAC) was defeated by UW-Eau Claire 3-1 in the first match of the Augsburg Invitational this afternoon.

The start of the first set was a nail-biter from the start, with neither team leading by more than two points.  The score was tied at 15 before Eau Claire slipped ahead 17-15.  CSB fought back, tying to score at 20 and 21.  The Blazers took the lead 22-21, but that didn't last long as the Blugolds wento n a 4-0 run to win the set 25-22.

The second set started much like the first.  When the score tied at 12, Eau Claire moved on a 4-0 run to lead 16-12.  However, CSB never backed down, staying within that four-point range and eventually tying the score at 22.  The Blazers then took a 24-22 lead, winning the set 26-24.

The third set was, again, a very close start, and with the score tied at 14, the Blugolds went on a 5-1 run to lead 19-15.  The Blazers couldn't regain their ground, eventually losing 25-19.

The final set began with a 7-7 tie before Eau Claire pulled ahead 13-9.  The teams exchanged point for point until the score was 19-15 with a Blugold lead.  A final 5-3 run resulted in a 25-18 Blazer loss.

CSB was led by senior right side hitter Kayli Schumacher (East Grand Forks, MN, Sacred Heart), who totalled 11 kills with a .370 hitting percentage.  Junior outside hitter Chelsie Sobieck (Wyoming, MN, Forrest Lake) added 10 kills, while first-year setter Kathyrn Gaydos (Savage, MN, Prior Lake) compiled 38 set assists.

The Blazers next play Augsburg at 6 p.m. this evening in their final match of Day One.