Notables
-CSS's victory over Martin Luther was the program's 700th.
-Benusa would record a total of 41 digs, including 32 in the first game against Northwestern.
-Despite playing four UMAC opponents this weekend, the results do not count towards conference records. Conference play begins next week.
-The Saints currently have the top overall record in the UMAC at 9-6, though UW-Superior and UM-Morris are just behind at 8-6.
-St. Scholastica has won seven of the past nine contests heading into UMAC competition. 
ST. PAUL (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica volleyball team split a pair of matches on Saturday, falling to UMAC rival and host University of Northwestern in four sets and rebounding to defeat Martin Luther College in straight sets in the Saints' final two contests in the UMAC Preview Tournament.
 
CSS 1, UNW 3
In the first set, Northwestern jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead, but the Saints quickly rallied back to tie the set at 8-8. CSS continued to battle, fighting for a 15-12 lead. Not to be outdone, Northwestern responded with a short rally of their own, knotting the score at 17 apiece. The score would go back and forth until both teams were tied at 26, but Northwestern prevailed in a close battle, 28-26.

The second set was much of the same, with neither team giving an inch. The Saints and Eagles battled back and forth, even at one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. Neither team had a lead larger than two points until the Saints jumped out to a 21-18 advantage after a pair of kills from Noelle Elvehjem (Mora, Minn./Mora HS), prompting an Eagle timeout. Unfortunately for CSS, Northwestern's timeout stifled any momentum, as the Eagles would take eight of the next 11 points to steal the second set, 26-24

CSS would prevail in the third set, jumping out to an early 6-3 lead and never allowing the Eagles to gain the lead. After a short Northwestern burst brought the score to 7-6, the Saints would take eight of the next 11 points, prompting a UNW timeout at 15-9. This time, however, the Saints' would not relinquish the lead, as the teams would split the remaining points and give St. Scholastica a 25-19 victory.

The final set was another back and forth fight as the Saints took an early 3-0 lead, only to have Northwestern rally back to 3-3. Northwestern would then take their turn jumping out to a three point advantage at 9-6, prompting a St. Scholastica timeout. The Saints would respond, taking five of the next seven points to tie the score at 11. The Eagles would rally to bring the score to 19-23, but CSS would claw back to a one point deficit, 23-22. Unfortunately, the Eagles would take the next two points, defeating the Saints in four sets.
 
Kortney Morrin (Grantsburg, Wis./Grantsburg HS (Northern State)) and Christaia Houser (Esko, Minn./Homeschool) would lead the Saints with 13 kills, followed by Amanda Belden (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) with a dozen of her own. Kariana DeYoung (Deer River, Minn./Deer River HS) would record seven blocks in the contest, while Emily Jansen (Long Prairie, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle HS) and Emily Kessler (Blackberry, Minn./Greenway HS (Itasca CC)) had 23 and 22 assists, respectively. Morrin also added 18 digs, while Danielle Benusa (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee HS) led the way with an impressive 32.
 
CSS 3, MLC 0
In the second match, CSS took out some frustration on the Knights, sweeping Martin Luther College in straight sets. Initially, the Saints showed some fatigue from their first hard-fought contest, dropping to an early 6-4 deficit. However, CSS would quickly recover, tying the contest at 8. Martin Luther would push back, opening up a 14-11 lead after a pair of aces capped off a five point swing. The two teams would exchange points until tying the game at 17, where the Saints took the lead and never looked back, taking the first set 25-21.

The second set was a contest early, as the Saints and Knights went back and forth until tying the game at 6-6. Then St. Scholastica would put the pedal down and leave Martin Luther in the dust as the Saints would take six straight points and get some assistance from some sloppy play to open up a 18-9 advantage. The Saints would then cruise to the easy 25-13 victory.

Despite Martin Luther opening up an early 3-0 advantage in the third set, St. Scholastica carried over their second set momentum, as the Saints would take 11 consecutive points to open up an early 11-3 lead. The Knights would fight their way back into the contest to come within three at 15-12 and 21-18, but the Saints would quickly close the door on any hope of a Knight comeback, taking the set and match 25-19.

Noelle Elvehjem (Mora, Minn./Mora HS) and Nikki Kienzle (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) would lead CSS with eight kills, followed by Amanda Belden (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) with seven. Emily Jansen (Long Prairie, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle HS) would record 20 assists, with Emily Kessler (Blackberry, Minn./Greenway HS (Itasca CC)) posting 13. Danielle Benusa (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee HS) again led the Saints with nine digs, followed by Morrin with eight.

Up Next
The Saints (9-6) will begin conference play on the road next Saturday as CSS travels to Minnesota Morris to take on the Cougars at 3 p.m.