ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team kicked off their home MIAC schedule with a 3-1 victory over Hamline on Wednesday night at Claire Lynch Hall, powered by a standout performance from junior Kali Jones.

Jones led the charge for the Bennies with her 28th career double-double—and sixth of the season—recording a season-high 15 kills and 20 digs. She also contributed four of CSB's 12 service aces in a match that improved the team's record to 9-3 overall and 1-1 in MIAC play. The Bennies also remained dominant at home, boosting their record in St. Joseph to 5-1.

CSB started the night strong, taking the first set, 25-20. The Bennies jumped out to an early 5-1 lead, but Hamline hung tough, tying the set six times before CSB closed on a 6-1 run. Jones tallied five kills and eight digs in the set, while CSB collected 15 total kills.

In the second set, CSB found themselves trailing, 14-9, but stormed back with a 14-4 run to gain control. They held off Hamline for a 25-22 win, going up 2-0 in the match. The Bennies improved their hitting efficiency in the second set, connecting at a .133 rate on 45 attacks.

Hamline responded in the third set, using a late push—scoring five of the final six points—to claim a 25-21 win. CSB hit just .118 in the set, while Hamline had its best offensive showing of the night, posting 14 kills on a .323 hitting percentage.

But the Bennies wasted no time regaining momentum. In the fourth set, they raced out to a 10-1 lead and never looked back, eventually closing out the match with a 25-18 win. CSB's offense clicked again with 14 kills and a .225 hitting mark to seal the victory.

Alongside Jones' big night, several Bennies stepped up offensively and defensively. First-year Brooke Siegle delivered nine kills and four digs while hitting .219. Junior Brooke Andries added nine kills and four digs of her own, and first-year Keira McManus chipped in eight kills. Senior Mackenzie Knofczynski was a force at the net with seven kills and four blocks, and senior libero Chaeli Haupert matched Jones with 20 digs, adding three assists and two aces.

Next up for Saint Benedict is a road trip to St. Paul to face Macalester in another MIAC showdown on Oct. 3. After that, the Bennies will travel to River Falls, Wis., to compete in the UWRF Quadrangular on Oct. 4, where they'll face UW-River Falls and No. 3-ranked UW-Oshkosh.