ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a big MIAC win over St. Thomas Wednesday night, it's back to work for the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team.
 
CSB – which beat the Tommies in Claire Lynch for the first time since 2004 on Wednesday – is on the road for a trio of matches this weekend. Friday, the team continues conference play with a match at Hamline, and Saturday the team takes on a pair of regional opponents when it heads to Decorah, Iowa, to take on Loras and Luther.
 
About the Pipers
Hamline is 6-5 overall and 0-2 in conference play heading into Friday with conference losses to Gustavus and St. Olaf. Maddie Hurrle leads the team with 113 kills and 38 total blocks, and Megan Rubbelke has a team-high 254 assists. On the defensive side, Gabby Robinson's 117 digs paces the team.
 
About the Duhawks
Loras is 9-5 overall and looking to snap a three-game losing streak heading into Saturday. The Duhawks started their season on a seven-match winning streak, including a 3-1 win over then-No. 14 Northwestern. Michelle Budden (135) and Kayla Kinney (127) lead the team in kills, and Paige Griffith has 461 assists to her name. Four players all have at least 100 digs for the Duhawks.
 
About the Norse
Luther is 8-7 overall and snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Simpson Tuesday night. Emma Veum (159), Anna Larson (139) and Karissa Kime (137) lead the team in kills, and Sam Sixta (315 assists) and Grace Meyers (199 assists) split time running the team's offense. Natalie Cote has a team-high 175 digs.
 
Who to Watch
Senior Lauren Mathews had a big night Wednesday in CSB's win over the Tommies. She led Saint Benedict with 16 kills and seven total blocks, including a big solo block in one of the final points of the team's Set 2 win. Hunter Weiss added 15 kills, and Katie Koch tied her career-high with 48 assists.
 
Following Wednesday's match, Madison Weiss leads both the MIAC and Division III with 1.65 blocks per set, and as a team, CSB leads the nation with 2.69 blocks per set. Junior libero Haley LaValle leads the MIAC in digs (288) and digs per set (5.54).