ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Every match is a big one for the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team, but a pair of MIAC matches this weekend will likely seal the team's conference postseason fate.
 
CSB hits the road for a pair of key MIAC matches Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20. The team is in Northfield Friday for a 7 p.m. match against St. Olaf – which is currently tied for sixth in the conference – then heads to St. Peter Saturday for a 5 p.m. date against Gustavus. Both Saint Benedict and the Gusties head into Saturday's match with 7-0 MIAC records.
 
About the Gusties
Gustavus heads into Saturday's match 21-2 overall, undefeated in the MIAC and ranked 10^th in Division III. The Gusties – who host Concordia Friday night – are on a 13-game winning streak dating back to Sept. 15. The last time Gustavus lost was Sept. 14, a 3-2 loss to UW-Eau Claire. Kate Holtan is fourth in the MIAC with 273 kills, and Nora Holtan is third in the league with 820 assists. Brittany Luethmers is sixth with 401 digs.
 
About the Oles
St. Olaf is 20-5 overall and 4-3 in the MIAC, and on a seven-match winning streak heading into Friday. The Oles started the season 13-1, but went 0-3 to start the MIAC season before starting another win streak. Lauren Rewers is third in the league with 280 kills, Lexi Wall is fourth with 819 assists and Haley Langeslag is fourth with 418 digs.  The Oles are tied with Concordia in MIAC play heading into the weekend.
 
The Storyline
With four matches left in the regular season, CSB looks to stay at the top of the MIAC and secure home-court advantage for as long as possible in the MIAC playoffs. Both CSB and the Gusties are 7-0 and six points ahead of a trio of teams tied for third in the MIAC. St. Olaf is looking to move up in the conference standings to prove itself after a hot start to the 2018 season.
 
Who to Watch
Sophomore Madison Weiss continues to lead the nation with 1.55 blocks per set and 135 total blocks. Twin sister Hunter Weiss is second in the nation with 101 total blocks. Both Katie Koch (assists) and Haley LaValle (digs) are in the top 20 in the nation, and as a team CSB is second in the country with 222.5 total blocks. All four have earned MIAC Athlete of the Week honors once this season – most recently Madison after recording a career-high 17 kills in a sweep of Augsburg last week.