ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team kicks off homecoming week with a big home match against St. Thomas Wednesday night. The match – which features two teams who won their MIAC openers last week – starts at 7 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.
 
This is a rivalry that runs deep. Last year, CSB beat the Tommies for the MIAC tournament title in St. Paul, marking the team's fourth win over UST since 2000. The last time Saint Benedict beat the Tommies in Claire Lynch wasSept. 15, 2004, when it picked up a 3-2 win – the team's first win over UST since 2000.
 
About the Tommies
The Tommies are 8-4 overall and coming off a 2-1 weekend performance at the UWRF Tournament. UST started MIAC play with a sweep of Concordia last week. Madie Kroehler leads the team and is 12th in the league with 115 kills, and Grace Bordson is fourth in the league with 47 total blocks. Ellie Meyer leads the conference with 29 service aces.
 
Last Meeting
The Tommies swept CSB last year in the two team's MIAC opener in St. Paul, but Saint Benedict won when it counted - a 3-2 victory in the MIAC Championship match. The win was the first against UST in five tries in conference title matches, and it marked the Tommies' first home loss of the season. Madison Weiss had 14 kills and Lauren Mathews had 13, and Haley LaValle had a career-high 33 digs.
 
The Storyline
The Bennie/Tommie rivalry is alive and well, and the two teams head into this year's match in very similar positions record-wise and stat wise. A win would go a long way for either team in boosting confidence and helping to keep one or the other at the top of the MIAC.
 
Who to Watch
Sophomore setter Brynne Wahl stepped in so CSB could run a 6-2 offense this weekend, and has 56 assists to her name in 12 sets played. Madison and Hunter Weiss continue to lead the team at the net, and Hunter is second in the league in kills (152) and Madison is first in blocks (80).