After finishing sixth in the MIAC in the 2016 season, coaches around the league picked the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team to finish in that same spot in 2017. But CSB spent the season on a mission to prove that preseason polls can be good motivators.

Saint Benedict shook off a slow start to the season, put together two seven-match winning streaks, finished second in the MIAC in the regular season and then beat St. Thomas on its home court to win the MIAC Tournament title – the team's first MIAC championship since 2009.

The league's coaches didn't make that mistake again. After finishing second in the regular season and winning the 2017 tournament title, CSB was selected to finish second in the 2018 coaches poll.

Saint Benedict gets its 2018 campaign started Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, at the Emory Invitational in Atlanta. Two years ago, CSB upset No. 4 Emory on its home court at this same tournament. CSB doesn't get the chance to play the Eagles again this season, but both SUNY New Paltz and Texas Tyler won 20 or more games, and Maryville and Whittier won 17 or more games in 2017.

The conference championship secured the team its 19^th NCAA Tournament berth in program history, and sixth in the past seven years. When all was said and done, Saint Benedict finished the year 19-9 overall and 9-2 in the MIAC. The team went undefeated in Claire Lynch with a perfect 8-0 record, including a big sweep of Bethel, a 3-1 win over No. 11 Gustavus and a thrilling 3-2 win against Augsburg in the MIAC Tournament semifinals.

CSB looks to make another run at the MIAC title and the NCAA Tournament in 2018, and leading the way are a foursome of powerful hitters.

Hunter and Madison Weiss return for their sophomore seasons after both earned All-MIAC First Team honors as first years in 2017. Hunter led the team with 304 kills, and Madison led the team – and the MIAC – with 114 total blocks.
Seniors Liz Schultz and Lauren Mathews also return for CSB's front line. Schultz finished second on the team with 251 kills as a junior, and Mathews was second with 89 blocks.

Defensively, junior Haley LaValle is back after pacing the team's defense with 509 digs. The team lost setter Megan Pekarek – who reached the 3,000-assist milestone during her tenure at CSB – so new faces will be running the team's offense this season. Sophomores Katie Koch and Brynne Wahl both look to get into the starting rotation, with first year Abby Jemmings also vying for a spot.

After the Atlanta tournament, CSB is at home for the first time Wednesday, Sept. 5, when it hosts UW-Eau Claire. For the first time in several years, CSB is hosting a tournament this season, Sept. 7-8, when Concordia, St. Scholastica, Valley City State and Simpson come to town.