By Teddy Menor
 
ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team started its MIAC season off with a big 3-0 sweep of the Macalester Scots Wednesday. This win was a special one for head coach Nicole Hess and the rest of the Blazers as it marked her 100^th win with the team.
 
The Blazers took the win by scores of 25-9, 25-6 and 25-13. They finished the night with 48 kills as a team and reached above a .350 hitting percentage in all three sets. The Blazers also totaled 12 service aces and only eight errors all night.
 
"The coaching milestones are out there, but I don't focus on those too much. I've been fortunate enough to have great players," Hess said. "It's exciting and to see all the player's reactions to it makes it even that much sweeter."
 
Coach Hess reached the 100-win milestone at Saint Ben's in just over four seasons. She started in 2010, and recorded her first win with the program on Sept. 1, 2010, when the Blazers beat Northwestern College. Her 50^th win was victory against Saint Mary's on Sept. 28, 2012.
 
 After two 18-win seasons to start her coaching career at CSB, Hess went on to go 29-6 and 27-4 in the past two seasons.
 
 "We've been with her for the past four years, and I feel like we helped work towards it, so we're really excited to be a part of it," CSB senior middle hitter Sophie Stangl said of being a part of Hess' milestone.
 
The Blazers head to Chicago Thursday to play in the Elmhurst Tournament, which will feature four ranked teams. Wednesday's big win, along with CSB's five consecutive wins previous to the sweep of Macalester, is just the momentum they need heading into this tournament.
 
"It was good because we stayed consistent the whole night; there was never really an up or down rollercoaster," Hess said.  "It's a great momentum boost, not only for the start of the season, but also for our trip to Chicago."