Coach Hess talks about sweeping Concordia

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team secured at least one home match during the MIAC tournament with a 3-0 sweep of Concordia to end the regular season Saturday afternoon.
 
The two teams headed into Saturday's regular-season finale tied for fourth at 7-3 in the MIAC. With the win, CSB moves up to 8-3 and will be either the No. 2 or 3 seed, depending on the outcome of the Augsburg/Bethel game being played Saturday night in Arden Hills. If Bethel wins, CSB is the No. 3 seed and hosts a first-round match Tuesday. If Augsburg wins, CSB jumps to the No. 2 seed and is off until the second round Thursday.
 
The Blazers, who are now 17-8 overall and 8-3 in the MIAC, came out strong in the first set and won 25-16. The second set was back and forth, and neither team led by more than a few points throughout. The Cobbers (15-10, 7-4) took a 21-18 lead, but a pair of kills from Laura Schmitt and a Concordia hitting error tied the match at 21.
 
A kill by Briana Schmiesing made it 24-23 CSB, but the Cobbers tied the match on a CSB service error. After going point-for-point, a kill by Schmiesing tied the match at 26, a service ace by Gabi Narvaez put the Blazers up 27-26 and another Cobber attack error gave CSB the 28-26 win.
 
Saint Benedict came out strong again in the third set, and picked up its first sweep since Oct. 17 with a 25-19 win in the third and final set.
 
Schmiesing finished with a match-high 13 kills for the Blazers and Schmitt added 12 kills and 13 digs. Meghan Koop also had eight kills and 12 digs, and Megan Barta finished with 13 digs. Megan Pekarek had 40 assists and eight digs and Mary Franz had three blocks for CSB.
 
Lydia Hansen led the Cobbers with 11 kills. Olivia Wangensteen had 14 digs and Jena Klaphake had 17 assists. Concordia is the No. 5 seed and is on the road Tuesday.
 
Gustavus wrapped up the No. 1 seed earlier this week and finished the conference season 11-0. Bethel also secured a playoff spot and Saint Mary's is also in. An Augsburg win would give the Auggies the sixth and final spot in the tournament, but a loss would give Carleton the No. 6 seed.