The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (25-5 overall, 10-1 MIAC) defeated Concordia-Moorhead 3-1 in the MIAC Playoff Semifinals, extending their winning streak to seven matches and advancing to the MIAC Playoff Championship.
The first set was a close one, beginning with the score tied at nine. The Blazers grabbed the lead at 14-12, but the Cobbers hung on as the lead bounced between the two teams. The score tied at 18 before Concordia began to inched ahead, but CSB soon tied it again at 21 before pulling ahead 23-21. However, the Blazers couldn't hang on as the Cobbers won 25-23.
The Blazers controlled the pace of the second set, picking up a quick 11-6 lead. They stayed ahead of the Cobbers with a score of 16-10 before pulling off a 25-19 win.
Concordia jumped to a 10-7 lead to start the third set before CSB tied the score at 11. The Blazers then pulled ahead to win 25-17.
CSB dominated the final set, finding 13-6 and 19-10 leads before winning 25-15.
The Blazers were led by senior middle hitter
Candace Bartels (Glencoe, MN, Glencoe-Silver Lake), who had 12 kills and a .385 hitting percentage. Junior right side hitter
Amber Wortz (Fairfax, MN, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop) had 10 kills in 16 attempts for a .625 hitting percentage, totalling six of those kills in the third set. Senior outside hitter
Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, MN, Hibbing) also had 10 kills and 17 digs for the Blazers, while senior setter
Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) contributed 53 assists.
With this win, CSB advances to the MIAC Playoff Championship to be played on Sat., Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. against St. Olaf in Claire Lynch Hall.
Box Score