ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team is back on the road against another MIAC opponent this Saturday, Sept. 24, when it takes on No. 18 Bethel at 3 p.m. CSB heads into the game looking for its second MIAC win after sweeping Macalester at home on Wednesday.
 
About the Royals
Bethel enters Saturday's game with a record of 10-4 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC. The Royals are coming off a 3-2 loss against Carleton, and started conference play with a 3-2 loss to Gustavus Adolphus. Tina Hoppe (156) and Carlee Hoppe (122) lead the team in kills and both have more than 140 digs. Katie Lubben (296) and Holly Ellwanger (243) lead the team with assists, and Karin Canakes has 44 total blocks on the year.
 
Last Year 
CSB beat Bethel in a 3-2 thriller on Sept. 25 in St. Joseph. Bethel won the first set, CSB won the next two to go up 2-1, the Royals won set four and CSB won a close fifth set 15-10 for a huge conference win. Briana Schmiesing had 13 kills, and Megan Pekarek finished the night with 47 assists. Meghan Koop had 18 digs and Pekarek finished with 16, and the team had 14 total blocks.
 
Who to Watch 
Megan Pekarek leads the Blazers with 403 assists and is second in the MIAC, and she leads the MIAC with 9.35 assists per set. Liz Schultz (125 kills) and Briana Schmiesing (113 kills) lead the Blazers on attack. First year Haley LaValle leads the team with 171 digs. First year Ashley Trustheim had a big night Wednesday in CSB's sweep of Macalester as she led the team with a career-high 12 kills.
 
The Storyline 
CSB is competing for its second MIAC win of the year against a strong Bethel team on Saturday. Saint Benedict is also looking to gain some momentum as it follows the Bethel match with two home matches against Saint Mary's and St. Olaf next weekend. CSB has kept most sets close so far this season, but is looking to close out those sets to get add some more wins to its season total.