ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team, led by sophomore McKenna Moehrle's .478 hitting mark, showcased a commanding performance on Friday night, sweeping Hamline 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-12) in a MIAC game marked by strong offensive and defensive play.
With this victory, St. Benedict improved their overall record to 8-10 and 4-2 in MIAC competition, solidifying their fifth place in the conference standings.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 383 during the "Pink Out" event in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, Moehrle led the charge with an impressive hitting percentage of .478. She recorded 12 kills with just one error on 23 attempts, extending her streak to five consecutive matches with double-digit kills and marking her 12th such performance of the season.
The Bennies displayed a well-rounded offensive effort, finishing the match with 41 kills on 115 attacks and hitting .252 overall, their third-best mark of the season. Sophomore Brooke Andries and Kali Jones were also instrumental, each contributing eight kills. Andries achieved a hitting percentage of .300 on 20 attacks, while Jones, who led the team with 16 digs, hit .143 on 28 attempts. MacKenzie Knofczynski added five kills along with three block assists, showcasing her versatility at the net.
Senior setter Audrey Spolidoro orchestrated the offense effectively, recording 33 assists and inching closer to a career milestone with seven digs as she now sits at 993, just three away from reaching the 1,000 mark. Junior Chaeli Haupert bolstered the defense with 15 digs and two service aces, while Ingrid Noha added 10 digs and contributed two of CSB's six service aces.
The Bennies' defensive strategy was evident as they secured 28 of 47 side outs, demonstrating their ability to build rallies through consistent play at the net and strong court coverage. Throughout the match, CSB maintained control, facing only seven tie scores and just three lead changes.
In the first set, St. Ben's hit .273, dominating with 10 kills on 32 attacks and committing only four errors. Early in the set, CSB took a 10-6 lead with consecutive kills from Moehrle and Spolidoro. Despite a brief rally from Hamline, CSB closed the set on a 7-2 run, winning 25-14.
The second set continued CSB's momentum, where they outpaced Hamline with a 17-to-10 edge in kills, hitting .190 compared to Hamline's .050. After establishing an early 7-2 lead, CSB fended off a Hamline comeback attempt, ultimately securing a 25-19 win.
In the decisive third set, CSB showcased their offensive prowess with a game-high hitting percentage of .565, recording 14 kills on just 23 attacks and committing only one error. After Hamline momentarily tied the score at 6-6, the Bennies surged ahead with a dominant 19-6 run to close out the match with a final score of 25-12.
Looking ahead, the Bennies will host Gustavus Adolphus for a "White Out" event as part of Family Weekend on Saturday at 5 p.m.
