Tournament Website
ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Preseason is over for the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team, and CSB is on the road for the first three weeks of the season. CSB volleyball officially starts Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1-2, at the Puget Sound Invite in Tacoma, Wash. After its trip out west, CSB is back in Minnesota for seven road games before playing its first home game of the year Sept. 22.
The Schedule
The Puget Sound Invite kicks off the season for all four teams. CSB starts off its season at 1 p.m. CST Friday against Clarkson University in the first game of the tournament. Saint Benedict hits the court again at 5 p.m. against host-school University of Puget Sound. Saturday, CSB starts its day at 1 p.m. against Pacific Lutheran University, and wraps up its weekend at 7 p.m. against Edgewood College.
About the Opponents
Friday also marks the first game of the year for Clarkson University, which finished 22-15 overall and 9-3 in its conference in 2016. The Golden Knights return 10 letter winners, including Rachael Aird, who finished with 504 kills last year.
University of Puget Sound went 15-9 overall in 2016 and finished 10-6 in its conference. The Loggers add six first years to the roster this year. Senior Hannah Stinson led the team last year with 96 total blocks.
Pacific Lutheran University finished 13-11 overall and 11-5 in the conference in 2016. The Lutes return 14 of 16 players this season, including senior Kiana Calles, who had 334 assists last year.
Edgewood College went 19-14 overall in 2016. The Eagles return 13 letter winners, including Haley Schwenn, who led the team with 604 assists.
Who to Watch
Back to lead CSB is senior setter
Megan Pekarek, who finished second in the MIAC in assists and assists per set last season. She earned All-MIAC and All-Region Honorable Mention honors, and eclipsed the 2,000-assist milestone in the team's final game of the season.
Lauren Mathews is back to lead CSB's hitters after earning All-MIAC honors as a sophomore, and junior
Liz Schultz looks to improve on her 237 kills last year. Anchoring the defense is sophomore libero
Haley LaValle, who finished eighth in the MIAC with 482 digs as a first year.
The Storyline
CSB adds 12 first years to the team this year, and lost three seniors two graduation in May. The young team is ranked sixth in the MIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, so the team looks to play above expectations this year and make it back to the MIAC tournament. Saint Benedict finished 12-13 overall and 5-6 and tied for sixth in the MIAC in 2016, and missed a spot in the tournament due to tiebreakers. That also marked the first time in five seasons CSB hasn't earned a berth to the NCAA National Tournament.
