Eau Claire Results                     Northwestern Results

The College of Saint Benedict Blazer volleyball team (4-5 overall, 0-0 MIAC) took fourth place today at the Augsburg Invite. The Blazers started the day with a hard fought win over the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 3-2. Saint Benedict then advanced to the third place game but lost to Northwestern 0-3.

The Blazers took an early 1-0 lead over Eau Claire by taking the first set 25-20. Saint Benedict then went on to win a hard fought match 25-22 to give them a 2-0 lead in the match. During the second set, the Blazers had a .259 kill percentage.  It appeared that the Blazers would have a quick 1,2,3 win over the Blugolds, but Eau Claire rallied from behind (27-29) in the third set to force a fourth set. The Blugolds then took the fourth set (25-19) to force the match to go to five sets.  Saint Benedict took an early lead and never stopped, beating the Blugolds 15-10 and clinched a spot in the top four.

Sophomore libero Chelsea Rachel (Maple Lake, MN, Maple Lake) compiled 35 digs while senior outside hitter Chelsie Sobieck (Wyoming, MN, Forrest Lake) notched 22 kills and had a kill percentage of .447. First-year setter Taya Kockelman (Minneota, MN, Minneota) had a double-double with 34 set assists and 14 digs. Also earning a double-double was sophomore outside hitter Lexi Alm (Stacy, MN, Forest Lake) with 14 kills and 14 digs.

The Blazers took on Northwestern College in the third place match. Saint Benedict dropped a close first set to the Eagles 21-25, giving Northwestern a 0-1 lead.  The Eagles then took a close set number two 23-25 to go ahead 2-0. Saint Benedict wasn't able to get past the Eagle defense and lost the third set 13-25, taking fourth overall in the tournament.

Gaydos compiled 14 set assists in the final match of the tournament while Alm had 9 kills. Saint Benedict had .286 kill percentage in the second set.

The Blazers return to action on Wednesday, September 14th, when they head to St. Paul, Minn. to face MIAC opponent Augsburg.