SAINT JOSEPH, Minn. – Abby Loe (Jr./Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley) recorded nine kills, but the Carleton volleyball team was unable to overcome a strong hitting performance from No. 12 Saint Benedict, as the Knights dropped a three-set match (25-15, 25-15, 25-16) Friday evening at Claire Lynch Hall.

St. Ben's (20-3, 6-2 MIAC), which entered the match leading the MIAC in attack percentage, hit .253 for the match, compared to a .033 clip for the Knights.

Carleton (6-17, 2-6 MIAC) came out strong to start the match, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening set, but Saint Benedict quickly regained the lead and pulled away for a 25-15 win in the first game.

Set two featured nine ties and five lead changes. A kill by Olivia Powell (Sr./Palos Verdes, Calif./Chadwick) helped the Knights take a 12-11 lead midway through the set, but Carleton would get no closer as the Bennies went on to take the set, 25-15.

St. Ben's closed out the match with a 25-16 win in the third set.

Loe's nine kills led the Knights, while she also added four digs and two aces. Jancyn Appel (Fy./Kansas City, Mo./Pembroke Hill) added five kills and three blocks, while Powell and Grace Leuchtenberger (Jr./Newton, Mass./Newton South) added four kills each. Powell registered a team-high four blocks.

Inger Shelton (So./San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) led the Knights with 23 assists and a tied for the team-high with six digs.

UP NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS: Carleton caps off its weekend road trip with a Saturday afternoon match against Concordia-Moorhead at 3 p.m.