St. Joseph, Minn. – The Saint Benedict volleyball finished off their fifth sweep in their last six games today (Sept. 29), taking a 3-0 win from St. Olaf.

“I think now were getting more into the flow of things,” sophomore Alexa Rinde said. “And we know we're a great team. I think now were starting to click with that confidence and energy that we've been talking about.”

It was also the third consecutive home win as the Blazers improve to 15-4 on the year and 4-1 in the MIAC. The Oles, meanwhile, drop to 6-11 on the season and 3-2 in the MIAC, having lost their last two.

In the first set, the Blazers jumped to a 10-2 lead early and would never trail. After the Oles started gaining some ground, the Blazers pushed through and took the win 25-17.

The second set started out very close and stayed there, with the lead changing six times and the score being tied 16 times. Neither team ever led by more than two points until the Blazers pulled ahead 24-21 at the very end of the set, eventually winning 25-22.

The third set started out just like the second, staying close until about halfway through when the Blazers pulled ahead 17-11 to finish the set and the sweep, 25-18. This is the eighth sweep the Blazers have completed this season, and their eighth win in their last nine matches.

Rinde led the attack with a season high 16 kills, tying the best mark of her career.

“As a team, we're a fantastic team with a lot of talent, and our confidence is what's been our issue and tonight we had confidence,” she said after the match.

Rinde also finished with a .444 hitting percentage, the sixth time she has finished a night over .400.  Lexi Alm also added to the team's success with another 14 kills. Taya Kockelman ended the day with 36 set assists, her best mark in the last four matches. Finally, in the back row, after passing 300 digs for the first time in her career earlier this season, sophomore Victoria Nass is now approaching 400 with 393.

The Blazers held St. Olaf under a .165 hitting percentage in each set in the match, as the Oles finished the day with a mere .106 mark overall.

With eight wins in their last nine matches, their Blazers will look to make in nine of eight, when they travel to Macalester on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. When asked about the key to that success, Rinde kept the answer simple.

“Keep the discipline, keep the confidence and play every game as it comes.”

Volleyball v. St.Olaf Gallery