ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Three Saints recorded double-digit kills, but the St. Scholastica volleyball team fell to Saint Benedict in three closely contested sets Friday evening at Claire Lynch Hall, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21.
Lilli Rechichi (Ely, MN/Ely Memorial HS), Tayte Borstad (Duluth, MN/Duluth East HS) and Abby Zins (Chisago Lakes, MN/Chisago Lakes High School) each finished with 10 kills for the Saints, who moved to 4-12 overall and 0-4 in MIAC play. Rechichi hit .333 and added a team-high four blocks, while Borstad posted a .296 hitting percentage and two blocks. Grace Sandmeyer (Lake Crystal, MN/Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) contributed eight kills.
St. Scholastica tallied 16 kills in the opening set, its highest total of the match, but Saint Benedict took the frame by three points. The Saints followed with 14 kills and a .205 hitting percentage in the second, pushing the set to extra points before the Bennies secured a 26-24 victory. The third set featured seven ties and three lead changes before Saint Benedict closed out the match.
Bailey Husbands (Baudette, MN/Lake of the Woods HS) directed the Saints' offense with 33 assists and added seven digs, two kills and a service ace. Cassidy Lustig (Ashland, WI/Ashland HS) led the defense with 15 digs, followed by Ava Decker (Rochester, MN/Century HS) with 11 and Lauren Kahl (Ridgeland, WI/Prairie Farm HS) with nine. St. Scholastica finished with six team blocks to Saint Benedict's five.
The Bennies hit .233 compared to the Saints' .183 and held a 46-41 advantage in kills. Kali Jones led Saint Benedict with 14 kills, while Kate Stadum added 11 kills and 14 digs as the Bennies improved to 8-9 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
St. Scholastica returns to action Saturday, Oct. 10, traveling to Carleton for a 6 p.m. MIAC match in Northfield.
