Women's Volleyball | 09/30/2016

Live Stats/Video

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team is back at home this week for back-to-back MIAC matchups this Friday, Sept. 30, when it takes on Saint Mary's at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 1 against St. Olaf at 3 p.m. CSB heads into the weekend coming off of a 3-2 win over No. 18 Bethel.
 
About the Cardinals and Oles
Saint Mary's enters Friday's game with a record of 14-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAC. The Cardinals are coming off a 3-0 loss against St. Thomas. Brandi Blattner leads the MIAC with 4.08 kills per set.
St. Olaf enters Saturday's game with a record of 7-9 overall and 0-3 in the MIAC. After a solid start to the season, the Oles are coming into this matchup off of six straight losses. Renata Erickson is third in the MIAC with 410 assists, and Sophie Schwartz is second in the MIAC with 58 total blocks.
 
Last Year 
CSB beat Saint Mary's in a 3-2 thriller on Oct. 2 in Winona. CSB won the first two sets, the Cardinals won the next two to tie it up, the Blazers won set five 15-13 for a huge conference win. The Blazers traveled to Northfield the next day to beat the Oles 3-0. Meghan Koop had 10 kills against the Cardinals and Lauren Mathews led CSB with a career-high 17 kills against the Oles.
 
Who to Watch 
MIAC athlete of the week Megan Pekarek leads the Blazers with 485 assists and is second in the MIAC. Liz Schultz (144 kills) and Briana Schmiesing (134 kills) lead the Blazers on attack. First year Haley LaValle leads the team with 236 digs. First years Ashley Trustheim and Cami Hoover have both earned spots in CSB's rotation and have become valuable parts of Saint Benedict's front row attack.
 
The Storyline 
CSB is looking to move their record above 500 in two conference matchups this week. Saint Benedict is also looking to carry some momentum into these matchups coming off of a hard fought win over No. 18 Bethel.