ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – With a strong blend of experience, young talent, and relentless work ethic, the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team is ready to build on last season's success as it enters the 2025 campaign with confidence and determination.
After finishing 15-12 overall and 8-3 in MIAC play in 2024, CSB capped off the season by winning its second MIAC Playoff Championship and earning the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
Head Coach Nicole Hess and seniors Mackenzie Knofczynski
and Chaeli Haupert address the Media Day press conference.
Photo - Jordan Modjeski, College of Saint Benedict Athletics
The Bennies open the 2025 season at home, hosting the CSB Volleyball Tournament on August 29-30 at Claire Lynch Hall. They'll begin play against (RV) Nebraska Wesleyan at 3 p.m. on August 29 and return to the court later that night for a 7 p.m. matchup against Minnesota Morris in a "White Out" event at Claire Lynch Hall. The tournament continues on August 30 with games against Luther (1 p.m.) and Crown College (7 p.m.).
CSB kicks off MIAC play on the road at Gustavus Adolphus on Sept. 26, before returning home to face Hamline University on Sept. 27 in their conference home opener. [
Click here for the full schedule.]
A Legacy of Excellence
Since 1987, Saint Benedict volleyball has consistently been one of the MIAC's top programs. Over that span, the Bennies have claimed seven MIAC regular season titles, three MIAC Tournament championships (2017, 2024), and made 24 NCAA Tournament appearances. CSB has placed in the top four of the MIAC an impressive 31 times and holds a 188-70 all-time home record at Claire Lynch Hall.
Success extends beyond the court. For the 13th consecutive year, the team earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, recognizing collegiate teams that maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30. CSB boasted a team GPA of 3.590 in 2024-25.
Leadership & Talent Return
Under the direction of head coach
Nicole Hess, now entering her 16th season, the team is focused on building upon the momentum from last year's playoff run.
"Even the conference tournament run — we had to win a really close five-setter at home against Augsburg. You can't replicate that experience — you have to live it," said Hess, who has compiled 272 wins at CSB (336 overall career wins), including 110 MIAC victories (125 career wins in league play). "It's really about building on that momentum. They've been there. They know what it takes."
Leading the way in 2025 are seniors
Chaeli Haupert (defensive specialist) and
Mackenzie Knofczynski (middle blocker), two of the team's most experienced and decorated players. Haupert, a two-time Academic All-MIAC honoree and member of the All-MIAC Playoff Team, has 877 career digs and recorded 415 digs last season — ranking 10th in the MIAC at 3.92 digs/set. She also had 29 service aces in 2024.
"We've got a lot of young talent coming in," said Haupert. "As returners, we know we've got room to grow, but we're confident. We want to be the top team and get back to where we were last year."
Knofczynski, a two-time Academic All-MIAC honoree, and Honorable Mention All-MIAC selection in 2024, echoed that sentiment: "There's a reason we made it to NCAA Regionals. It's about how we practice every day — the effort we bring. That's what translates into our games."
An All-MIAC performer in 2023, Knofczynski has 648 career kills and 248 career blocks. A year ago, she had double digit kills 10 times and ranked second in the MIAC with 95 total blocks. During CSB's run to the MIAC Tournament title, she supplied 21 kills.
Experience and Talent Power the Roster
CSB also returns a strong core of juniors, including:
The sophomore class features
Katie Blahoski,
Allison Banse,
Antonia Chowhan, and
Izzy Torve, while five talented first-years —
Ginny Schuler,
Brooke Siegle,
Keira McManus,
Sydney Elliott, and
Emma Wasiloski — will also push for time on the court.
Coach Hess believes the current group is ready to continue the program's history of success.
"The personalities seem to click easily," Hess said. "Practices have been really competitive. I'm impressed with the level of play in our gym already — and proud of how our athletes came back after the summer."
