ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Off to their best start in more than a decade, the (RV) College of Saint Benedict volleyball team returns to Claire Lynch Hall on Wednesday night (Sept. 17) for a marquee early-season matchup against No. 14 UW-Eau Claire. First serve is set for 7 p.m. as the Bennies (8-1) look to keep momentum rolling against a nationally ranked opponent.

CSB's impressive opening stretch — their best since 2013 — has them receiving national recognition, earning 33 votes in the latest AVCA/Taraflex Division III Poll for the third consecutive week.
 
The Bennies are coming off a split weekend at the Coe Tournament, where they dropped a tough match to host Coe College before bouncing back in a four-set victory against Cornell. In that win, senior defensive specialist Chaeli Haupert moved to within just three digs of the 1,000 mark, underscoring her impact on the program's success over the years.
Before that, CSB swept its way through the UMass Boston Tournament, claiming three straight wins — including a program-record 18 service aces in a three-set sweep over Salem State. The Bennies also swept Emerson and UMass Boston during the tournament, displaying dominance from the service line and strong team defense. CSB also won all four of its games in its own CSB Tournament to open the season.

MIAC Numbers
Saint Benedict leads the MIAC with 2.90 service aces per set with its total of 90 also first in the conference. The Bennies rank fourth in assists at 11.13 per set, hitting percentage with a .178 mark on 369 kills in 1138 attacks. With 11.90 kills per set, CSB ranks fifth while its 1.90 blocks per set (59 total including  an 18 block solos) ranks fourth in the MIAC. CSB has averaged 18.06 digs/set (560 total) for second in the MIAC.  

Serving Aces
In a three-set sweep against Salem State at the UMass Boston Tourney, the College of Saint Benedict had a program-best 18 service aces in three sets. The previous match high for service aces was 21 vs Macalester in 1998 but accomplished in five sets. Leading the way was Chaeli Haupert with six and Izzy Torve with five, both setting career best marks.

Player Notes
Chaeli Haupert – Senior | Defensive Specialist

• 997 career digs (just 3 away from 1,000)
• 7th in MIAC in digs/set (3.87) and 8th in aces/set (0.52)
• Recorded 31 digs last weekend at Coe Tournament
• Career highs: 29 digs vs Trinity (TX); 6 service aces vs Salem State

Mackenzie Knofczynski – Senior | Middle Blocker

• MIAC Rank: 6th in hitting % (.295), 3rd in blocks/set (1.10)
• 712 career kills, 282 blocks
• 22 career matches with double-digit kills
• Career bests: 15 kills vs Washington U; 9 blocks (twice, including UMass Boston)

Izzy Torve – Sophomore | Setter

• 2nd in MIAC in service aces/set (0.71), 6th in assists/set (6.10)
• Career-high 34 assists vs Cornell; 18 digs (twice)
• 3 double-doubles (assists/digs) already this season

Kali Jones – Junior | Outside Hitter

• 9th in MIAC in kills/set (2.72)
• 635 career kills, 664 digs
• 26 career double-doubles (kills/digs)
• Career highs: 20 kills vs Cortland, 22 digs vs Simpson

Brooke Andries – Junior | Outside Hitter

• 2025 season: 2.11 kills/set, .250 hitting % (11th in MIAC)
• Career: 405 kills, 81 blocks
• 17 career double-digit kill matches
• Matched career high of 14 kills vs Coe in 2024

McKenna Moehrle – Junior | Middle Blocker

• 2025: 36 kills, 19 blocks
• Career: 330 kills, 91 total blocks
• Key contributor to CSB's blocking success

Coach Nicole Hess at the Helm
In her 16th season leading the program, Nicole Hess continues to build on an already decorated coaching career. Inducted into the St. Olaf Hall of Fame in 2015, Hess holds a 280-142 record at CSB (.659), with a .714-win percentage in MIAC play. Under her leadership, the Bennies have produced 14 All-Americans, 76 All-Region players, and a strong tradition of academic excellence.