Volleyball 9/22/04 -- St. Benedict 3, Augsburg 0 (30-18, 30-15, 30-24)

BOXSCORE

STORY FROM ST. BENEDICT SPORTS INFORMATION

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. (9/22/04) -- Despite a strong game three rally by Augsburg College, the College of St. Benedict Blazers (8-0, 2-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) volleyball team proved themselves worthy of their recent national ranking by defeating the Auggies (7-7, 0-2) in three games Wednesday night (30-18, 30-15, 30-24).

Junior Shantelle Needham posted a double-double, leading the Blazers with 11 kills and 15 digs. Needham was second in kills in MIAC going into the match. Sophomore Teri Knapper, ranked third in MIAC in hitting percentage, managed 10 kills on 14 attempts, a success rate of .714. Senior Claire Loesch and junior Ashley Pinckney each contributed eight kills. Third-ranked MIAC blocker Loesch led the Blazers defensively with four blocks. Not only did junior Beth Schiller manage four aces, she also continued her dominance as St. Benedict's assist leader with 18. She was followed closely by sophomore Monica Eiden with 17. Eiden also played well in the back row with a total of eight digs.

Auggie Linnea Evans * (Jr., Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) picked up 10 kills in the three games. Leading in assists with 33 was Alexis Johnson (Jr., Oakdale, Minn./North St. Paul HS), ranked sixth in the MIAC. Sarah Bradley (Fr., International Falls, Minn.) had 15 digs.

Both teams are back in action with home matches on Friday (9/24) at 7:30 p.m. Augsburg will host Carleton, while St. Benedict will host St. Mary's.