ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict athletic department celebrated the accomplishments of the 2025-26 athletic year in May with its annual student-athlete celebration. Twelve Bennies were announced as finalists for the annual CSB Rookie of the Year award, presented to the top newcomer of the season in each sport.

Right side Keira McManus (O'Gorman/Sioux Falls, S.D.) was named CSB volleyball's finalist for the award. 

McManus played in 103 sets across 28 matches in her rookie year. She totaled 216 kills on 614 attempts (.212), alongside 42 digs, 52 blocks (50 block assists) and five assists. She was named the MIAC Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 4 after averaging 4.0 kills per set and hitting .367 across a pair of sweeps over Bethel and Carleton. She totaled 11 kills vs. Bethel and 13 vs. Carleton with just one error.

She made her collegiate debut vs. Nebraska Wesleyan on Aug. 29, playing in all five sets with six kills, a dig and six block assists. She tallied a season-high 19 kills vs. Concordia on Nov. 1. She had a season-high seven digs in the Bennies' five-set thriller vs. Gustavus Adolphus in the MIAC semifinals and five more at St. Olaf in the title match. Through the MIAC tournament, McManus averaged 11 kills, four digs and 2.7 blocks per match. She had five kills, two blocks, an assist and a dig against WashU (Mo.) in the Bennies' national tournament match. 

CSB volleyball made its second-consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament after winning its fourth MIAC playoff title and second in as many years. The Bennies tied for second in the conference with a 9-2 record (21-7 overall). Junior outside hitter Kali Jones (Annandale, Minn.) was named CSB volleyball's 32nd All-American in program history.