THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – After a pair of tough losses to ranked opponents Friday evening, the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team fought back and ended its California trip with a 3-1 win over host-school Cal Lutheran Saturday afternoon in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
 
The Bennies took second-ranked Emory to five sets Friday night before losing 3-2, and dropped the first set Saturday to Cal Lutheran - which is receiving votes in Division III – but came back to win 13-25, 25-23, 25-19 and 25-19.
 
The win gives the Bennies (1-6) some momentum as they head back to Minnesota to take on one more ranked opponent before getting into MIAC play Wednesday, Sept. 22 against Hamline.
 
After recording just nine kills in a tough first set Saturday afternoon, Saint Benedict came back and record 16 or more kills in each of the next three sets to hold off CLU (1-4). The team's 58 kills marks the most this season, to go along with a season-best 57 assists.
 
As she has each match so far this season, senior Gabby Heying led the team's offense with 19 kills. She was one of four CSB hitters with double-digit kills as Olivia Thompson, Sophie Kobienia and McKenzie Galvin each added 10 kills.
 
First year setter Audrey Spolidoro had a big day on offense with a career-best 30 assists to go along with 10 digs for her second straight double-double. Sophomore setter Payton Marker added 20 assists and 12 digs, and senior libero Mary Wenisch led the defense with 12 digs. Madelyn Gregory led the team with three block assists as CSB held CLU to 40 kills.
 
Saint Benedict takes on one more ranked opponent to start the season Tuesday, Sept. 14, when it makes the short trek to St. Paul to take on No. 17 Northwestern, which is currently 6-1. The Bennies are back at home Sept. 22 against Hamline.