Macalester vs. St. Benedict statistics | View on key Macalester point in set five

Macalester snapped a 37-match MIAC losing streak, getting 19 kills from Majra Mucic (Sr., Zenica, Bosnia / St. Louis Park - Minn.) and 17 from Laura Avena (Fy., Cesis, Latvia / Riga Gimnasium #1), to upset St. Benedict 3-2 in St. Paul. Prior to tonight, Macalester (9-10 / 1-3 MIAC), had not won a conference match since Oct. 20, 2006. Steffanie Fisher (So., Lindenhurst, Ill. / Lakes Community) handed out 47 assists for the Scots. The Blazers (10-7 / 3-1 MIAC) came into the match as an MIAC co-leader.

Set scores were 25-22, 20-25, 25-22, 18-25 and 15-13. The Scots hit .252, including .304 in the decisive third set, and wrapped things up with Mucic's 19th kill of the match.  Macalester hit over .300 in their three set wins.

The Scots enjoyed an 11-4 advantage in serving aces, getting five from Anna Trier (So., Sun Prairie, Wis.). Mac also finished with nine blocks, five by Taylor Tinkham (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.).

St. Ben's hit only .106, .148 and .192 in the three sets it dropped as Macalester's back row play was led by Kiera Coulter (Sr., Davis, Calif.) with 14 digs, Glasha Marcon (So., Richmond, Calif. / Albany) with 11, Avena with eight and Fisher with seven.

Kayli Schumacher led St. Benedict with 22 kills, while Kathryn Gaydos dished out 47 assists.

The first set of the match was close throughout, with seven ties and three lead changes. Macalester almost went up 2-0 in a set featuring seven ties and five lead changes, but the CSB survived a 20-17 deficit by scoring the final eight points.

Macalester went out in front 10-5 and 18-9 before holding on by three points. St. Ben's forced a fifth set with a 25-18 decision in the fourth. In set five, the Scots fought back from an 8-4 deficit, staging a 6-1 rally before finishing up with a 15-13 triumph.

Macalester plays a pair of matches Friday (Oct. 1) at Northwestern-Roseville, where it takes on Northwestern at 5 p.m. and Presentation (S.D.) at 7 p.m.