Live Video (all matches) | Live Stats (Aurora match) | Live Stats (Chicago match) | Live Stats (Hope match)

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a condensed season in the Spring 2021, the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team is ready to hit the court for a full slate of games in Fall 2021. The Bennies kick off the season Friday and Saturday, Sept. 3-4, with a trio of games at the University of Chicago Tournament in Chicago, Ill.
 
The Bennies take on Aurora at 2:30 p.m. Friday and then host-school Chicago - currently ranked ninth in Division III - at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, CSB plays No. 7 Hope College at 12:30 p.m. to wrap up the tournament. Live stats and video will be available for all three matches. Per University of Chicago policy, all fans attending the tournament must be masked while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
 
Saint Benedict's roster has a whole new look to it after graduating All-American twin hitters Madison Weiss and Hunter Weiss, as well as two-time All-MIAC setter Katie Koch. The trio led the Bennies to a 26-6 record and a spot in the Elite Eight during the 2019 season, and then finished 4-2 in Spring 2021.
 
Leading the way for the team this season is senior defensive specialist Mary Wenisch and junior outside hitter Gabby Heying. Wenisch – who was student teaching and did not compete in Spring 2021 – finished second on the team with 351 digs in 2019, including a career-best 20 digs against Bethel. Heying finished third on the team with 294 kills as a first year in 2019 and recorded 30 kills in six matches last spring.
 
Seven first years and six sophomores round out head coach Nicole Hess' roster in Fall 2021. Sophomore libero Mackenzie McDonald saw time in all six games last season, and tied the school record for digs in a match with 38 against Gustavus in late April. She finished with 111 digs. Emma Guest is also back as an outside hitter after recording 45 kills as a first year to go along with 77 digs – second behind only McDonald. Olivia Thompson also saw limited action at the outside.
 
A trio of setters are on the roster to run the offense this season. Sophomore Payton Marker is joined by first years LaRae Kram and Audrey Spolidoro, and all three are in the running for the team's starting setter.
 
After traveling to Chicago, CSB is at home for the first time Wednesday, Sept. 8, when it hosts UW-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. in Claire Lynch. Fans are welcome in Claire Lynch this season and there are no capacity limits. Per CSB policy, all fans must mask indoors on the Saint Benedict campus regardless of vaccination status.
 
The Bennies head to California for three games at the Cal Lutheran Tournament, and start MIAC play at home Wednesday, Sept. 22, in a 7 p.m. match against Hamline.