The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (26-5 overall, 10-1 MIAC) defeated St. Olaf College 3-0 in the MIAC Playoff Championship in Claire Lynch Hall, making the Blazers the MIAC regular season and Playoff Champions.
The Blazers began the first set with an 8-3 lead over the Oles, but St. Olaf kept the things interesting by tying the score at eight. CSB kept pushing ahead, picking up a 16-13 lead and staying ahead to win 25-20.
Both teams exchanged point for point throughout the second set, with nine tied scores before either team reached 15. The Blazers prevailed picking up the win despite the Oles right at their heels with a score of 25-22.
Everything fell together for CSB in the final set, beginning with a 10-3 lead over St. Olaf and stringing together 8-2 and 7-5 runs as they won 25-11.
The Blazers were led by junior right side hitter
Kayli Schumacher (East Grand Forks, MN, Sacred Heart), who totalled 10 kills with a .389 hitting percentage. Junior middle hitter
Calleigh Brown (Buffalo, MN, Buffalo) added eight kills and four blocks, while senior outside hitter
Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, MN, Hibbing) picked up six kills and 11 digs for CSB. Senior setter
Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) contributed 28 assists toward the win.
Jaynes and Hanson were named to the MIAC Playoff All-Tournament team as the Blazers won both MIAC titles. This win ensures CSB an automatic bid into the NCAA Regional Tournament beginning next Thursday, with location, time and opponent to be determined.
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