St. Joseph, Minn. -- The Saint Benedict Volleyball team (12-6, 4-0 MIAC) won their fourth straight match today (Oct. 3rd), defeating the Saint Mary's Cardinals (11-6, 2-2 MIAC) in three sets (25-21, 25-20, 27-25). With the win, the Blazers maintain their undefeated conference record and keep pace with St. Thomas for first-place.

The Cardinals came roaring out of the gates in the first set, grabbing a 15-8 lead midway through the set. The Blazers went on a 7-point-run sparked by two fake-set-spikes by Kockelman. They then capitalized on several Cardinal attack errors down the stretch to win the set 25-21.

The second set was close the entire way, with neither team leading by more than four points. The Blazers found themselves down late in the set, this time by a 17-14 margin. Again, a pair of kills from Kockelman and several errors from the Cardinals led to the Blazers winning the set; 25-20.

The Cardinals kept the third set as close they did the second set, but it was again the Blazers that emerged victorious. Trailing 18-21 late in the set, several kills from senior Sophie Stangl and junior Laura Schmitt gave the Blazers a chance at set point at 26-25. Junior Mary Franz spiked a lob over from Cardinal outside hitter Alex peterson to win the set 27-25 and secure the match win.

Schmitt led the Blazers attack with 15 kills, her highest total in a three-set match this season. Stangl finished second with eight kills. The team finished with an impressive attacking percentage of 0.313, the third-highest percentage they've hit all season.

Kockelman added to her conference-leading assists-per-set mark of 10.93, recording 35 assists through three sets.

The Blazers return to action tomorrow (Oct. 4th) when they will host the Knights of Carleton College. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.