Tommie Sports - Volleyball

Volleyball loses 3-1 to Blazers in tight match

L, 1-3
St. Ben's (W), October 14, 2009

Coach Thanh Pham and his Tommies are in a busy stretch of games vs. ranked teams. (Greg Smith photo)

No. 20-ranked St. Ben's (19-5 overall, 5-1 MIAC) ended a nine-match losing streak against St. Thomas (17-5, 6-1) as it won in four sets Wednesday night in MIAC volleyball play at Concordia University.

The Blazers hit .230 and got 16 kills, 25 digs, four blocks and three aces from Emma Jaynes as they won 30-28, 25-27, 25-21, 26-24.

St. Ben's rallied from late deficits of 21-17 and 23-20 in the closing set and beat the Toms for the first time since September 2004.

The No. 9-rated Tommies dropped into a first-place tie with St. Olaf, with St. Ben's one half game behind. St. Thomas' three-season, 36-match conference win streak was halted.

In the first set, UST led 11-3 and 24-22 but couldn't seal the win as the Blazers prevailed 30-28.

After trailing 10-5 and 24-23, St. Thomas rallied to win set two and even the match.

St. Ben's led 17-11 in the third set. After UST pulled within 20-18, the Blazers regained control at 24-18 and won 25-21.

For the Tommies, Katie Bonine had 18 kills and eight digs; Kyley Crotty had 15 kills and 17 digs; Emily Foster had 55 assists and nine digs; Kaitlin Wachter had 21 digs; Molly Staton had 15 digs; Tori Jones had 11 kills; Alesha Nelson had nine kills; and Jill Osborne had eight kills and five blocks. The Toms hit .195.

For the Blazers, Chelsea Sobiek had 14 kills and 16 digs; Kayli Schumacher had 15 kills; Calleigh Brown had 11 kills; Amber Wortz had 14 digs; and Beth Hanson had seven kills, 55 assists and nine digs.

The Toms play Friday and Saturday in the UW-Oshkosh tourney. They have remaining MIAC matches with Carleton, Gustavus, Augsburg and St. Catherine.

Click here for match box score:

http://www.tommiesports.com/vlbl/stats/csb-ust.htm

Click here to view more Greg Smith action photos:

www.gsmithsports.com

Action pic