2007 Blazer Volleyball Outlook: Six as One

Six as one is an attitude the College of Saint Benedict volleyball team hopes to show on the court in 2007.
 
The Blazers, who finished the 2006 season with a 5-6 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference mark and a 15-13 overall record, enter the season with five returning members from last season’s squad.
 
Senior captain Theresa Naumann, who collected 179 kills and 55 blocks in 2006, hopes to have another productive season leading the Blazer front court.
 
Flanking Naumann will be sophomore outside-hitter Emma Jaynes, who leads all returning athletes in kills (322) and blocks (59) from last season. Jaynes gained a lot of experience appearing in all 109 of the games the Blazers played last fall and will provide a young Saint Benedict team with a dependable player capable of making an impact on the court.
 
Sophomore Beth Hanson has stepped up to the starting setter position, running the CSB offense with the efficiency of a seasoned veteran. In her first year of collegiate competition, Hanson compiled 1,212 assists and averaged 11.23 set-assists per game, which ranked second overall in the MIAC.
 
Sophomores Andrea Millerbernd and Jessica Olsem also return from last year’s team. Millerbernd, who will see time as an outside hitter this fall, started in 11 matches and averaged 1.42 kills per game in 2006. Olsem provided the team with depth at the middle blocking position and appeared in 18 games. Both Millerbernd and Olsem will be committed to making the Blazer front row one of the best in the MIAC.
 
With a strong group of returners who got a lot of experience last fall, the Blazers were able to secure a fourth place ranking in the 2007 MIAC Coaches Preseason Poll.
 
With all the excitement from last season’s dramatic playoff run fresh in their minds, the Blazers welcome another talented class of newcomers that hope to contribute to the varsity squad.
 
Joining Saint Benedict this fall will be sophomore transfer Lindsey Grauman (Lake Forest College). Grauman, a defensive specialist who was third in team digs with 345 for Lake Forest, brings impressive credentials that she hopes will land her the starting libero position.
 
Sophomore Candace Bartels along with first years Anna Bergstrom, Calleigh Brown, Paige Feichtinger, Laurel Heggernes, Megan Kelly, Kelsey Lehnertz, Kayli Schumacher, Jenny Uecker, McKinsey Weydert and Amber Wortz will be making their Blazer volleyball debuts in 2007.
 
With a mix of returning and incoming talent the Blazers’ expectations will be high as they aspire to contend for a MIAC championship and qualify for their eighth consecutive trip to the MIAC Playoff Tournament.

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