ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team fell short in its season opener Tuesday night.
 
The Blazers, who are receiving votes in the AVCA Division III preseason poll, faced off against the University of Northwestern – which is also receiving votes – in Claire Lynch Hall. The Blazers fell by a score of 3-0 after starting the night off with a close score of 25-22. They continued with a 25-13 loss in the next set and a 25-16 loss in the final set.
 
In the first set, the score stayed within two points until the Eagles took a 15-12 lead halfway through the set. From here, the Blazers battled back to tie the score at 22-22 before the Eagles finished with the last three points. 
 
In the second set, the Eagles jumped out to an early 6-1 lead. They continued to widen the gap until they sat with a 16-6 lead. From here, they added another two points to their lead as they second game came to a close and the Eagles took the 25-13 win.
 
The third set started much like the second with an early 10-1 lead for the Eagles. The two teams battled back and forth through the middle of the set and the Blazers began to eat away at their deficit. After a 5-1 run, the Blazers pulled within 19-13. From here, however, the Eagles held onto their lead and finished the night with a 25-16 win.
 
Laura Schmitt led the Blazers' offense tonight with nine kills and also led the team with 17 digs. Megan Pekarek also added another 12 digs on the night and finished with 24 assists. Meghan Koop finished the night with five kills and nine digs to help her team on both sides.
 
Lindsey Peterson led all hitters with 10 kills and she also finished with 14 digs for a double-double for Northwestern. Kaelyn Kilbo had 21 assists and Jackie Foster led the team with 20 digs.
 
The Blazers, who are now 0-1, travel to Roseville, Minn., this weekend for the Northwestern Tournament. CSB plays Coe College – which is No. 25 in Division III – at 1 p.m. Saturday and Loras College at 3 p.m.