ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a successful weekend in Atlanta, the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team is back at home for several matches over the course of the next week, starting with a solo nonconference match against UW-Eau Claire.
 
The two teams square off starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, in Claire Lynch Hall.
 
About the Blugolds
UW-Eau Claire is also coming off a successful weekend as it went 4-0 at a tournament in New Jersey to start the 2018 season. The Blugolds didn't drop a single set as they swept all four opponents and won 12 straight sets. Taylor Scalia was named the tournament MVP for her solid defensive play over the weekend, and Madison Surprise also earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Madelyn Pashibin currently leads the team with 50 kills and two others have at least 30.
 
Last Meeting
This marks the first meeting between CSB and Eau Claire since 2015 when Saint Benedict traveled to Eau Claire, Wis., for the Blugolds' home tournament. Eau Claire won that matchup 3-1, but all four sets were very close and came down to the final few points to decide a winner. Lauren Mathews – a first year at the time – had seven kills for CSB in the loss.
 
Who to Watch
Saint Benedict had a solid weekend on both offense and defense in Atlanta. Madison Weiss was named to the all-tournament team after finishing with 33 kills and a MIAC-high 27 total blocks, but Hunter Weiss was right behind with 35 kills and 24 blocks, and Liz Schultz finished with 37 kills and 54 digs. Junior defensive specialist Haley LaValle leads the MIAC with 87 digs, and sophomore setter Katie Koch made a solid debut, racking up 129 assists in her first collegiate starts.
 
The Storyline
CSB went 8-0 in Claire Lynch last season, and the team looks to keep that streak alive in 2018. After a solid start to the season in Atlanta, Saint Benedict hopes to keep that momentum going as it heads into a four-game home tournament this weekend and then the start of MIAC play next week. Eau Claire also looks to keep its momentum alive as it hopped into the national poll in the 'Others Receiving Votes' section after finishing its New Jersey tournament 4-0.