Bennie volleyball prepares for MIAC tournament

The CSB volleyball team (16-6) currently sits tied for third in the MIAC with two conference games remaining in the regular season. On Nov. 5, the Bennies will take on Bethel at home and then travel to Carleton on Saturday. As the postseason quickly approaches, the Bennies are preparing for the final games of the season as well as the MIAC Tournament which will begin on Nov. 11. Senior Chaeli Haupert said the biggest contributor to the team’s success this season has been their team chemistry.

“Everyone has bought into their role and is focused on what’s best for the team. We all trust each other and play for each other, which has made a huge difference,” Haupert said.

Earlier this season, Haupert reached 1,000 career digs and celebrated this moment with her team.

“Reaching 1,000 career digs was a really special moment for me. It brought back memories of all the practices, games and teammates that helped me get here. It’s something I’m proud of, but it also motivates me to keep getting better,” Haupert said.

In preparation for the final conference games of the season, the team is continuing to stay focused on the little things and take each game one step at a time.

“We’re hoping to finish the conference off strong and get a home playoff game for the first round of MIAC playoffs,” Haupert said.

Looking ahead to playoffs, a team goal for the Bennies is to focus on the game in front of them.

“Our goal for playoffs is to take it one game at a time. We want to keep playing our game, stay consistent and enjoy every moment together,” Haupert said.

Looking back on the season thus far, Haupert’s favorite moment was hosting and winning their first tournament of the year.

“It was really special to play at home that first weekend back at school in front of family and friends,” Haupert said.

Junior Kali Jones said another big factor in the team’s success has been their perseverance.

“We’ve had quite a few challenging matches where we could’ve rolled over and called it quits, but we hold such a high standard for ourselves that we know we can do better and get the outcome we work hard for,” Jones said.

During the season, Jones earned MIAC Athlete of the Week. She said she was thrilled about this honor because so many players strive to achieve this.

“The thing I love about volleyball is the team aspect. I would not have gotten MIAC Athlete of the Week if we hadn’t won that weekend. I got that award with the help of my teammates and our success that we’ve had this season,” Jones said.

Approaching these final conference games, the team knows each game matters.

“We’ve been focused and eager to finish the regular season strong and bring that good energy into playoffs. Our conference is very competitive and there’s not a single team we can overlook,” Jones said.

For playoffs, the team’s goals are to be MIAC conference tournament champions and advance to the NCAA tournament. With this goal in mind, intentionality has been a big focus.

“It’s easy to go through the motions towards the end of the season, but we know if we want to achieve our goal, we must come into practice every day with discipline and intention,” Jones said.

Jones’ favorite moment from this season was their home game against St. Olaf. The team feeds off the energy and support from their fans, and Jones was grateful for everyone who showed up. Head coach Nicole Hess said the team has really bought into the season and what it takes to be a successful team.

“Our student-athletes have been committed to doing the little things that make a big difference. We have strong leadership, team culture, and a shared belief in what we’re capable of when we play for each other,” Hess said.

As the team prepares for the rest of conference play, they’re remaining focused on their game.
“We talk a lot about controlling what we can: our effort, communication and consistency. With two conference matches left, we’re emphasizing staying present, competing and building momentum heading into the postseason,” Hess said.

During playoffs, the team’s goal is to keep playing their best volleyball when it matters most.

“We’ve put in the work to be in this position, and now it’s about trusting each other, staying composed and competing with confidence. One game at a time,” Hess said.

Coming to practice each day and being around the athletes is Hess’ favorite part of the season.

“The energy they bring, the laughter and the competitiveness make it fun. It’s been great to watch them grow and enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves,” Hess said.