The College of Saint Benedict Blazer volleyball team (2-3 overall, 0-0 MIAC) fell to non-conference opponent Northwestern College 1-3 Wednesday night in St. Paul, MN.

Saint Benedict took the first set in a close fought battle to begin the match at Ericksen Center with a 25-23 win.  After surrendering the first set, the Eagles fought back and tied the match 1-1 with a 25-23 win over the Blazers. Northwestern took the third set (13-25) to take the lead in front of a large home crowd, before defeating the Blazers 21-25 in the final set of the match. The Blazers fought to stay alive in the fourth set but eventually came up short against the Eagles.

Sophomore Lexi Alm (Stacy, MN, Forest Lake) compiled 14 kills in today's match while first-year right side Alexa Rinde (Minnetonka, MN, Orono) acquired 13 kills and a .375 kill percentage.  Leading the Blazers in set assists was first-year setter Taya Kockelman (Minneota, MN, Minneota) (23) while sophomore libero Chelsea Rachel (Maple Lake, MN, Maple Lake) netted 13 digs.

The Blazers return to action this weekend at the Augsburg Invitational. Saint Benedict begins tournament play against St. Scholastica at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon before taking on conference opponent Gustavus at 6 p.m.