ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Early in the 2017 season, College of Saint Benedict volleyball coach Nicole Hess said her team had to get used to making big plays in close situation, and get used to winning.
 
Now, that's all the team does.
 
Saint Benedict picked up a huge MIAC and regional win Friday night when it swept conference-rival Bethel 3-0 in front of a rowdy home crowd in Claire Lynch Hall.
 
The win marks the sixth straight for the team, and the sixth straight sweep. CSB hasn't lost a set since falling 3-0 to St. Thomas on Sept. 20. Prior to that, CSB picked up two more sweeps, meaning the team has won eight of its last nine games – all by sweep.
 
The latest sweep – much like the ones before it – came in dramatic fashion once again. The Royals (11-4, 3-3) kept things close, but CSB (11-6, 5-1) held on for wins of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-20.
 
In the first set, Bethel led 22-20 late in the match, but a kill from Madison Weiss started a run of five straight points to end the set in CSB's favor. The set ended with a block from Hunter Weiss and Madison Weiss.
 
The second set was tied midway through at 16-16, but kills from Liz Schultz and Megan Pekarek started a 6-0 run that ended with a 22-16 CSB lead. Another kill and a service ace from Schultz and a Royal attack error ended the set in CSB's favor.
 
An early run that included kills from both Weiss twins put the home team up 15-9 early in the third set, and CSB hung on for the win. Briana Schmiesing had a pair of kills late and Madison Weiss ended the set and the match with a kill.
 
Hunter Weiss finished with a match-high 11 kills to lead CSB, which had 41 total kills. Lauren Mathews and Madison Weiss each added eight, and both Weiss twins also had three block assists. Megan Pekarek finished with 31 assists, 11 digs and six kills, and Haley LaValle led the defense with 19 digs.
 
Tina Hoppe led Bethel with eight kills. Mikayla Morrow and Bailey Israelson each had 14 assists, and Hoppe had 13 digs.
 
CSB is back on the road for a pair of nonconference matches Saturday, Oct. 7, when it heads to Eau Claire, Wis., for the UW-Eau Claire Tournament. The team plays UW-Stout at noon and No. 7 Northwestern at 4 p.m.