MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (3-9, 0-1 MIAC) fell to Augsburg (7-8, 1-1 MIAC) in a competitive match on Friday night, losing 3-1 with set scores of 26-24, 24-26, 19-25, and 23-25.

Despite the setback, Kali Jones led St. Ben's with 16 kills, while Mackenzie Knofczynski notched a career-high 14 kills. Audrey Spolidoro recorded her 46th career double-double, contributing 42 assists and 13 digs, along with three service aces. She is now seventh all-time in CSB history with 2,958 career assists.

In total, CSB had four players reach double-digit kills, with Jones leading on 51 attempts. Knofczynski achieved her 14 kills on 37 attacks, while sophomore McKenna Moehrle added 13 kills on 27 attempts, boasting a team-high hitting percentage of .296. Kate Stadium chipped in with 10 kills, just shy of her career best. Chaeli Haupert led the defense with 19 digs.

As a team, Saint Benedict recorded 59 kills on 186 attacks, resulting in a hitting percentage of .156. The Bennies also achieved six service aces, 62 digs, and five team blocks, with the match featuring 26 ties and 16 lead changes.

Game Summary
Augsburg took an early 14-11 lead in the first set, but St. Benedict fought back to tie it at 15-15 after Stadium's third kill. CSB then took the lead at 17-16, but Augsburg rallied to lead 22-21. Knofczynski responded with a kill, and Jones followed with another to put CSB ahead 25-24. Spolidoro sealed the set with a service ace, giving CSB a 26-24 victory. The Bennies tallied 19 kills on 58 attacks for a hitting percentage of .190, along with a block and an ace.

In the second set, CSB nearly came back from a 22-18 deficit, tying the score at 23-23 and taking a brief 24-23 lead. However, Augsburg closed the set with a 3-0 run to win it. The Auggies hit .250 compared to CSB's .148, despite the Bennies achieving 16 kills to Augsburg's 14.

The third set saw Augsburg hit .222 while CSB struggled at .083, resulting in a 25-19 win for the Auggies and a 2-1 set lead. Saint Benedict initially led 8-6, but Augsburg rallied with a 14-5 run to take control.

In the fourth set, CSB faced challenges, falling behind 19-10. They mounted a comeback, closing the gap to 22-21 after a kill by Jones, who finished with 16 for the night. However, Augsburg closed out the set at 25-23. Both teams recorded 14 kills and two service aces, but Augsburg edged CSB in hitting percentage at .214 to .205.

The Bennies will look to bounce back as they host St. Catherine on Saturday, September 28, at 5 p.m. at Claire Lynch Hall.