ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Macalester College volleyball team welcomed the College of Saint Benedict to the Leonard Center this evening for its 2015 MIAC home opener. Macalester grabbed a first set win and battled throughout before falling in the next three sets, handing the Blazers their second conference win of the season.

Macalester drops to 11-3 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC. The College of St. Benedict, who received votes in the Sept. 22 AVCA Coaches Rankings, improves to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

The Scots clinched set one, 25-18 before dropping the next three: 25-15, 25-19 and 26-24. Brooke Hunter (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) led the way offensively, finishing with 16 kills in the match. Hunter hit a team-high .314.

Clara Baumann (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East) punched in another double-double tonight, finishing with 13 kills and 13 digs. Senior libero Cora Trout (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) led the way with 28 digs.

Arianna Hesterberg (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor) dished out 35 assists.

MIAC Hitter of the Week, Laura Schmitt, proved to be a major threat to the Scots. Schmitt finished with 23 kills and 17 digs in the match to lead the Blazers.

Macalester will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 26 as they welcome St. Olaf College to the Leonard Center. The first serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.