ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team played one of their best matches of the season against one of the best teams in the country, falling in a hard-fought 3-1 battle to No. 3 ranked University of Northwestern.

The Bennies came out firing in the first set, trading point for point with the Eagles while maintaining a small lead. Audrey Spolidoro was able to rattle off four serves in a row to give CSB the momentum and a 19-12 advantage. Just when it looked like the Bennies had things firmly in control, Northwestern erased a seven point deficit to tie the set at 20 points apiece. Saint Ben's was able to score five of the last seven points to earn a big 25-22 set one win.

Northwestern jumped out to a quick 8-1 lead in the second set and would never look back. The Eagles hit an impressive .533 and won 25-16. The third set was fairly evenly matched, but a few small Northwestern runs allowed the Eagles to pull away and secure a 25-18 win, to go up two sets to one.

The fourth set was a thriller, that featured 19 tied scores and nine lead changes. CSB looked to have the momentum with a 21-19 advantage, but the Eagles rallied and took a 24-23 lead. The Bennies tied it up at 25 points apiece and 26 points apiece, but Northwestern scored the last two points to seal the 28-26 win.

Three Bennies finished with double-digit kills, led by Gabby Heying, who posted a match-high 17 kills, hitting at a .289 clip, while adding 16 digs and a block assist. Emma Guest had was a key offensive weapon for the Bennies with 39 attack attempts in the match, finishing with 13 kills and a .205 hitting percentage. Mackenzie Knofczynski was the third major offensive threat for CSB, finishing with 11 kills on 23 swings, for a .261 hitting percentage. Mackenzie McDonald anchored the Bennie defense with a match-best 22 digs, while Spolidoro finished with 45 assist and 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the season and 13th of her Bennie career.

Saint Benedict returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 24, traveling to Arden Hills, Minn. to take on MIAC rival Bethel University at 7 p.m.