ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team kicked off its 2025 season in dominant fashion, sweeping all four matches at its home tournament and marking the program's best start since 2013.

The Bennies capped the weekend with a 3-0 sweep in the tournament finale, completing a perfect 4-0 run. After a thrilling five-set victory over (RV) Nebraska Wesleyan to open the tournament, CSB dropped just one set the rest of the way, cruising past Minnesota Morris (3-0), Crown College (3-0), and Luther College (3-1).

By the Numbers
CSB showcased balance and depth across the board, averaging:

• 12.1 kills
• 2.5 service aces
• 1.7 blocks
• 17.9 digs
• 11.4 assists per set over the four matches.

Several players hit key milestones and turned in standout performances:

• Chaeli Haupert led the defense with 56 digs, surpassing 900 career digs (933).
• Mackenzie Knofczynski was a force at the net, recording 13 blocks (0.87/set) and averaging 2.33 kills/set while hitting .316. She now owns 261 career blocks and 683 kills.
• Izzy Torve set a career high in assists in the tournament opener and finished with 90 assists (6.0/set), 12 service aces, and 44 digs, notching two double-doubles.
• Kali Jones had two more double doubles, giving her 27 in her career. She led the team with 37 kills (2.85/set) and added 48 digs, reaching double digits in three matches. Jones is approaching 600 kills (593) and 600 digs (596).

Recaps
CSB 3, Luther 1
Kali Jones led the way with 13 kills and 16 digs, while Keira McManus added a career-best 10 kills and Chaeli Haupert contributed 23 digs.

The Bennies overcame a slow start in the opening set, rallying from a 12-3 deficit with a 15-3 run led by Jones and Haupert to win 25-22. CSB controlled the second set 25-15, hitting .273. Luther bounced back in the third (25-21), but CSB closed out the match with a dramatic 26-24 win in the fourth after trailing, 24-23.

CSB 3, Crown 0
In a balanced team performance, six players recorded four or more kills, led by Knofczynski's 10, to record a fourth straight win in a 3-0 sweep of Crown College. Kate Stadum and Brooke Andries had six each, while Izzy Torve posted 24 assists and a team-high 18 digs for a double-double. 

CSB hit .317 in the opening set (25-15) and improved its efficiency in the second (25-9), hitting .310 with a 77% side out rate. The Bennies stayed steady in the final set, securing a 3-0 sweep. Up Next:
The Bennies hit the road for the UMass-Boston Tournament, beginning Sept. 5 vs. Emerson College. They'll also take on Salem State and UMass-Boston on Sept. 6.