Volleyball wins three straight, drops ball against Gusties

The Bennie volleyball team is on a roll.

After a rocky start to their season, the Bennies have bounced back and found their stride in their last few games headed into the MIAC playoffs.

The CSB volleyball team (6-11, 4-4 MIAC) picked up a huge sweep of St. Olaf while on the road, with high hopes going into the playoffs propelling them. After a loss at Gustavus, the Bennies are looking to winning against St. Kate’s this coming Friday, Oct. 29.

“We have played one of the toughest schedules in the country this year; in fact, according to the Massey Ratings it is the third best in all of NCAA Division III,” said Head Volleyball Coach Nicole Hess. “Our staff has been so impressed with the resiliency and grit that our team has displayed during this season.”

The team’s mindset has changed over the season.

“We spend a lot of time talking about the process and controlling what we can control throughout the season,” Hess said.

“We have gained a lot more experience now than we did at the beginning of the year, so that has prepared us for different situations in games,” sophomore Olivia Thompson said on the impact competition has had on the team.

The MIAC has undergone some changes since the CSB volleyball team last played. As St. Thomas officially left the conference to move to Division I, and St. Scholastica joined the MIAC.

These changes have affected the schedule and lineup of opponents that the CSB volleyball team has encountered this year.

“We miss competing against the Tommies and are excited to welcome the Saints into our league,” Hess said. Thompson also commented on the change in schedule, saying that it is much easier to manage as a student with no competitions on Wednesdays, a change from last year.

For the playoff competition in the next week, the Bennies have high hopes.

“The first goal is making the conference tournament… Right now we are tied with three other teams for fifth place and the top six make it,” Hess said. The Bennies have a “one game at a time” mindset and are excited for post-season, according to Hess.

The Bennies are gearing up for a showdown against St. Kate’s this Oct. 28, in Claire Lynch Gym, where they will battle for a spot in the MIAC tournament. The Bennies continue their season with a game against the Concordia Moorhead Cobbers on Oct. 29 in Moorhead MN.

Hess urged the fans to come out this Friday.

“We love the support that we receive at home (and away) games and hope to see the stands packed and loud during our game against St. Kate’s on Friday.”