CSB volleyball heads into MIAC Semifinals

Despite losing to a ranked Northwestern team and conference opponent St. Olaf in the last week of the regular season, The College of St. Benedict volleyball team will look to lean on senior outside hitter Emma Guest, first-year Kali Jones and senior middle blocker Paige Andries.

Guest has been pleased with her final season of competitive volleyball at CSB. The team has been very happy with the goals they have set to accomplish this season: doing well in conference competition and making a playoff run. This playoff run will begin at home inside Claire Lynch Hall.

“I couldn’t ask for a better senior year; I just wish it would slow down a bit. We have played some great teams. The team has had great success; we have been competitive and made memories. This has been my favorite year by far because of my teammates and coaches making me play for the love of the sport,” Guest said.

Jones thinks of the team as her family and is very happy with the closeness of the group this season.

“The best way to describe CSB volleyball for me is a dream. I never thought college volleyball would be such a great experience. I am grateful I landed here,” Jones said via email.

Jones also gave kudos to the seniors, including Guest, for welcoming her with open arms.

“The seniors have welcomed all of the first-years. Emma was the first person that introduced herself to me coming into summer volleyball. She’s like an older sister to me. She is always so supportive and checks in on me. I am so grateful to call her my teammate,” Jones said.

Guest is excited to help the team make a playoff push as they begin postseason action this Thursday. The Bennies will host a MIAC semi-final against St. Olaf.

“We need to tune out the scoreboard, the crowd and stay to our game; that is what makes us successful. This week, we need to have grit and determination. Our main focus is to have energy coming into this our first match. The more energy we have, the better we do in a game,” Guest said.

Andries has also cherished her time playing volleyball at CSB with her younger sister Brooke Andries, who is a first-year on the team.

Last season, Andries earned All-MIAC honors. This season, she has continued that momentum in her final season of competitive volleyball. Andries has 154 kills on 422 attacks and defensively has 58 blocks and 32 digs in 2023.

Andries acknowledges that she is very fortunate to have a team that is so close on and off the court. Like Guest, she believes this season will be one to remember regardless of the result.

“This season has been very special. The seniors are a very tight-knit group, which has made the season very memorable. I will cherish my teammates and friendships I have made forever beyond college,” Andries said via email.

As they get ready to take on the Oles, Andries talks about keys to success to make a run in the conference tournament.

“We have been able to compete well in practice this week. I believe our compete level really helps us mesh well as we have produced wins on the volleyball court. The friendships I have made have extended well outside of sport,” Andries said.

Head coach Nicole Hess is happy with the work ethic of the senior class. She praised how proud they have been to be an integral part of the CSB volleyball program.

“This year’s group brings work ethic every day. They are very committed. It has been an honor to coach them throughout their four years at St. Ben’s,” Hess said via email.

Hess also was pleased with how CSB performed against a ranked opponent in Northwestern. The team will look to play with grit and tenacity as they enter into the MIAC playoffs this week.

“We are very excited to host a semi-final. We had a great regular season. The team and myself would love to see the CSB+SJU community come out in full force to create a home-court advantage against St. Olaf on Thursday evening,” Hess said.

Hess also mentioned things the team has done well throughout the regular season and how they can carry this momentum into the postseason.

“We have played a very intense schedule this season. We need to take past experiences and put them to the test by building on our successes. I thought we served aggressively and had a good passing system this past week; we just need to continue to be focused to be able to move on in the playoffs,” Hess said.