Interview with senior Mary Franz
ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- Sophomore setter Megan Pekarek had a triple-double with 50 assists, 13 digs and 11 kills and the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team beat the St. Scholastica Saints 3-2 (25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 12-25, 15-12) Wednesday. The win improves the Blazers' record to 15-7 (7-2 MIAC) and wraps up nonconference play for CSB this season. With the loss, the Saints drop to 13-10 (3-3 UMAC).
Those 50 assists for Pekarek were just one away from her career-high of 51. Four Blazers were in the double-digits for kills as Laura Schmitt led the team with 15, Mary Franz added 13, Lauren Mathews chipped in with 12 and Pekarek totaled 11.
The Saints took an early lead in the first set, jumping out to an 8-4 lead. The Blazers rallied to tie the set at 10-10, and went on to win the set 25-23. Schmitt and Mathews led the way with five kills each in the first set.
The second set was just as close as the first. Neither team led by more than three points the entire way. After a kill by Laura Schmitt made the score 24-23, a service ace from first-year middle blocker Lauren Matthews gave the Blazers 25-23 victory and a two-set lead.
In the third set, it the Blazers jumped out to a 12-7 lead. The Saints rallied to tie the set at 17-17, and then eventually won the set 26-24.
The fourth set was all Saints. They jumped out to a 10-3 lead, and then went on to win the set 25-12.
The fifth set was close the entire way, with both teams trading leads until the Blazers found themselves with a 14-12 lead and a chance to put an end to the five-set match. After a serve from Schmitt, Meghan Koop and Franz combined to block St. Scholastica hitter Kortney Morrin, and the Blazers won the match.
First year Megan Barta led the CSB defense with 19 digs and Schmitt and Koop each finished with 17. Mathews, Franz and Koop all had three blocks.
Blazer volleyball returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 24, when they host Gustavus Adolphus College. That game is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall. Gustavus is currently on a 21-match winning streak and leads the MIAC with a record of 7-0.
