ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (2-5) will face a road test at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (4-3) in nonconference play on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the McPhee Physical Education Center in Eau Claire, Wis.

Saint Benedict is coming off a 1-2 showing at the UW-River Falls Falcon Invite. The Bennies fell, 3-1, to Simpson College; secured a 3-0 win over Minnesota Morris; and narrowly lost a five-set match to UW-River Falls, 3-2.

Saint Benedict By the Numbers -

• Audrey Spolidoro: A senior setter, Spolidoro has been named MIAC Specialist of the Week and to the All-Falcon Invite Team so far this year. She ranks 26th nationally and second in the MIAC with 9.9 assists per set. Spolidoro's 287 assists place her fifth nationally and first in the MIAC. She has also achieved 41 career double-doubles and with 2,752 set assists needs just 28 more assists to move into seventh place (Katie Koch, 2,789, 2017-21) on CSB's all-time list .
• Kali Jones: A sophomore outside hitter, Jones has four double-doubles this season, bringing her career total to 18. She is third in the MIAC with 3.21 kills per set (93 total) and third in points (103.0, 62nd nationally).
• Mackenzie Knofczynski: Leading the MIAC and ranking 39th nationally with 25 blocks, Knofczynski averages 0.86 blocks per set, which is fourth in the MIAC.
• Chaeli Haupert: A junior, Haupert ranks seventh in the MIAC with 106 total digs.

As a team, CSB is fourth in the MIAC and 32nd nationally with 352 kills and is second in the MIAC with 324 assists. They are eighth in total digs with 428 and rank third in the MIAC with 12.14 kills per set. CSB also stands sixth in the MIAC with a .177 hitting percentage and fourth with 51 service aces.

Recent Honors -

• Audrey Spolidoro: Recently named MIAC Specialist of the Week on September 3, Spolidoro earned selection to the All-Falcon Invite Tournament Team after averaging 9.9 assists per game and recording three double doubles.  
• McKenna Moehrle: A sophomore from Eden Valley, Minn., Moehrle was named to the All-Falcon Invite Tournament Team as she averaged 2.50 kills per set with a .277 hitting mark. She also contributed nine total blocks, including a team-high six solo blocks.

CSB vs. UW-Eau Claire Series -
The upcoming match will mark the 34th meeting between CSB and UW-Eau Claire, with the Blugolds holding a 17-16 series lead. In their last encounter on Sept. 6, 2023, CSB lost, 3-1. The Bennies have lost their last three matches against the Blugolds and have a 4-9 record in road games against them. CSB's last home win over UW-Eau Claire was a 3-1 victory on Nov. 14, 2019.

UW-Eau Claire Overview -
Under the leadership of head coach Kim Wudi, in her 18th season, UW-Eau Claire has achieved considerable success, including a national title and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. The Blugolds average 12.8 kills per set, a .212 hitting percentage, 12.2 assists per set, 2.4 service aces per set, 15.3 digs per set, and 1.3 blocks per set. Bailey Leeke leads with 3.77 kills per set and a .254 hitting mark, while Mya Cinnamo contributes 2.58 kills per set. Hannah Thole directs the offense with 10.17 assists per set.

Head Coach Nicole Hess -
Nicole Hess is in her 15th season at Saint Benedict, boasting a 259-134 record, including a 102-41 MIAC mark. Hess, who has 323 career wins, led CSB to a national tournament berth each year from 2011-15, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2012. She directed CSB back to the NCAA Tournament each year from 2017-19 with a 26-8 record and another Sweet 16 trip in 2018 and a 26-6 record and an Elite 8 appearance in 2019.  
She achieved her 300th career win on Oct. 7, 2022 against Macalester.

Season Recap -

• Aug. 30: No. 25 East Texas Baptist, L 3-0 (20-25, 22-25, 12-25)
• Aug. 30: Texas Lutheran, L 2-3 (25-18, 15-25, 25-23, 17-25, 10-15)
• Aug. 31: RV SUNY Cortland, W 3-2 (21-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-17, 16-14)
• Aug. 31: No. 5 Trinity, L 1-3 (27-25, 21-25, 21-25, 16-25)
• Sept. 6: Simpson College, 1-3 (25-6, 23-25, 23-25, 20-25)
• Sept. 7: Defeated Minnesota Morris, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-20)
• Sept. 7: Lost to UW-River Falls, 2-3 (22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 11-25, 11-15)