2007 Blazer Volleyball Review
Youthful Blazers Settle Any Doubts
When the 2007 season began for the CSB volleyball team, they were looking to replace three players lost to graduation, including a former All-American and a MIAC Defensive Player of the Year. Some may have predicted hardship for the Blazers, but they returned to the NCAA Division III national tournament and posted a 21-11 overall record. Despite the obvious obstacles, the Blazers expected nothing but success in 2007. Their outlook was correct as they amassed 20 wins for only the second time in eight years. The young team even boosted CSB from a sixth-place 2006 MIAC finish to second place in 2007.
The Blazers began their season with seven consecutive road matches – including tournaments in La Crosse, Wis. and St. Peter, Minn. Two weeks into the season, CSB had a 3-4 overall record and lost its first MIAC match at Bethel. Fortunately, on Sept. 14, the Blazers made their home opener at Claire Lynch Hall in the annual CSB Holiday InnVitational. With a 4-0 sweep of their opponents, including No. 23 Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the Blazers won the tournament and ignited an early season surge. CSB accumulated 13 victories in 14 matches over a one-month span of time. Their success encompassed a seven-match win streak against MIAC opponents that placed the Blazers in position to fight for the regular season title.
With one week and three opponents remaining in the MIAC schedule, CSB had a 7-1 conference record. Despite stumbling against Gustavus and St. Thomas that week, the Blazers still had a chance to secure the No. 2 spot with a win over Concordia-Moorhead in the regular season finale at Claire Lynch Hall. In what was anticipated to be one of the toughest matchups of the season, CSB completed an authoritative 3-0 sweep propelling the Blazers into the MIAC playoffs with the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
Five days later, Concordia revisited CSB for a MIAC playoff semifinal match. The Blazers lost the first two games 26-30 and 21-30. Just as it looked like the Cobbers were about to finish off CSB in the third game, the momentum began to change. With a “one possession at a time” attitude, the Blazers crawled back and won game three 30-24. Their energy continued to climb as they won game four, 30-20. The Blazers completed the comeback with a 15-9 win in the fifth game to gain the victory and an appearance in the MIAC playoff championship.
The Blazers made it to the MIAC championship for the second consecutive year. Despite a loss to St. Thomas, CSB received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament – a feat Blazer volleyball had accomplished only once in the previous eight seasons. After bowing out to Bethel in the first round of the national tournament, the Blazers had no reason to be disappointed after all they had accomplished.
While the Blazers attained many of their team goals in 2007, they also had many players excel individually. Sophomore outside hitter Emma Jaynes (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing High School) finished the season with 400 kills and 501 digs while earning All-MIAC honors, CSB’s Top Defensive Player award, and three all-tournament team selections. Jaynes was also named an All-America Honorable Mention.
During a standout season, sophomore setter Beth Hanson (Fairbault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy) broke two Blazer volleyball records, and tied another. Hanson’s total of 1,286 assists surpassed the 20-year-old single season assists record of 1,280 set by Nikki Denne in 1988. Her assists average of 11.80 also topped the record for single season assists per game of 11.76, previously set by Beth Schiller in 2005. In only two seasons, Hanson tied the career record for most double-doubles, 45, set by Malia Evjen in 1999. Hanson was also voted as CSB’s Most Valuable Player and named to the All-MIAC team.
Sole senior and captain Theresa Naumann (Columbia Heights, Minn./Totino-Grace High School) was given the Coaches’ Award for the second consecutive year. Her leadership and dedication surely contributed to the team’s success, and was particularly helpful in the development of many first-year players. A trio of first-years, Laurel Heggernes (Mora, Minn./Mora High School), Calleigh Brown (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo High School) and Kayli Schumacher (East Grand Forks, Minn./Sacred Heart High School), became a recognized force in the MIAC at an unforeseen speed. Heggernes finished the season with 304 kills, Brown averaged 1.06 blocks per game and Schumacher provided a great deal of power from the outside hitter position.
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