“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” was the theme for the 2009 College of Saint Benedict volleyball team, who returned all seven starters from the previous season. The Blazers hoped that teamwork, which brought them to the 2008 NCAA Elite 8 last season, would help them to advance again this season.
The Blazers began their season with a 2-3 record, dropping three games at the Puget Sound Invite in Tacoma, Wash. However, CSB sprung back, taking second place at the Augsburg Invite after finishing 3-1 with a five-match loss to the University of St. Thomas. The Blazers then won 13 consecutive games, taking first place in the CSB Holiday InnVitational and Battle of the Border Tournament.
The #20-ranked CSB then proceeded to upset the #9-ranked University of St. Thomas 3-1, snapping a nine-match losing streakfor the first time since 2004. This also broke the Tommies’ 36-match MIAC winning streak. The Blazers then went on to win seven more consecutive games, making them MIAC regular season and Playoff Champions, giving CSB an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
The Blazers’ season ended abruptly with a 3-2 loss to Luther College in the first match of the NCAA Tournament. They finished their season with a 26-6 record overall, 10-1 in the MIAC. They remained undefeated at home with an 11-0 record in Claire Lynch, ranking 21st in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 final poll. The Blazers were also ranked ninth in the NCAA with 12.17 assists per set and 10th with 13.21 kills per set.
Four senior blazed the way for CSB this season. Outside hitter Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, MN, Hibbing) was named to the AVCA Division III Honorable Mention All-American team. She was also named to the CoSida third team Academic All-America and selected for the All-MIAC team for the third consecutive year. She was first for the Blazer and eighth in the MIAC with 2.96 kills per set. Jaynes was also first for CSB with 3.64 digs per set.
Setter Beth Hanson (Faribault, MN, Bethlehem Academy) made history this season, becoming the CSB all-time assist
leader with 5,092, surpassing the previous record of 4,615. She was named to the AVCA Division III Third Team All-American and was named All-MIAC. Hanson was first for the Blazers, fourth in the MIAC and 14th in the NCAA with 10.59 assists per set.
Libero Andrea Millerbernd (Littlefork, MN, Littlefork-Big Falls) and middle Candace Bartels (Glencoe, MN, Glencoe-Silver Lake) also played key roles for the Blazers. Millerbernd was second for CSB with 2.86 digs per set, while Bartels was first for the Blazers and sixth in the MIAC with 0.95 blocks per set.
The junior class also made great contributions to the Blazers this season. Right side hitter Kayli Schumacher (East Grand Forks, MN, Sacred Heart) was named AVCA Division III Player of the Week, All-MIAC, and AVCA All-Region honorable mention. She led the Blazers and was fourth in the MIAC with a .303 hitting percentage, and was third for CSB with 2.64 kills per set. Middle hitter Calleigh Brown (Buffalo, MN, Buffalo) was also a big part of the Blazer offense, averaging 2.96 kills per set and 0.78 blocks per set.