Blazers Rally, Advance to MIAC Final

11/01/2007

The College of Saint Benedict volleyball team (8-3 MIAC, 21-9 overall) defeated the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers 3-2 (26-30, 21-30, 30-24, 30-20, 15-9) in tonight’s MIAC semifinal match. That makes it twice in five days the Blazers have defeated the Cobbers, who are ranked No. 20 in the AVCA Division III national poll. With their backs against the wall, and Concordia only one game away from advancing to the MIAC championship, the Blazers pulled together enough energy to endure, and win, the nail-biting five-game match.

The Cobbers pulled out to early leads in both of the first two games. CSB was just one step behind Concordia with each move they made. As the teams struggled for an advantage in the match, it was the experienced Cobbers who finally pulled ahead. After earning four and nine point victories in the first two games, Concordia had the Blazers on their heels and counted them down and out. However, CSB never reacted as if they were eliminated from the playoffs, or even trailing in the match. The Blazers dug deep and persevered through some of the toughest games they have played all year.

Despite the odds stacked against them, the team on the court was not alone. With a packed house, the Blazer fans boosted the enthusiasm, and the volume, to help the team get back on track. The Blazers took back their home court and won decisive victories in the remaining three games. The near-impossible had come true; the Blazers had completed the comeback and CSB defended Claire Lynch Hall yet again.

As is usually the case when the Blazers find themselves in trouble, they turned to their All-MIAC sophomores Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing High School) and Beth Hanson (Fairbault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy). Jaynes and Hanson connected time and time again to get the crowds roaring. Hanson dished out 59 set-assists. Jaynes, who accounted for 16 of Hanson’s assists, finished with a game-high 20 kills. Jaynes also recorded a career-high 31 digs that fueled the Blazer defense and translated into many crucial opportunities down the stretch. Matching Jaynes’s offensive effort was first-year middle blocker Laurel Heggernes (Mora, Minn./Mora High School), who also finished with an impressive 20-kill night.

The Blazers advance to the MIAC final in St. Paul. CSB will face the Tommies at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 to determine this year’s playoff champion.

Stats | Volleyball | CSB Sports

Peter Banick, CSB Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098