ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Carleton volleyball team went on the road and suffered a 3-0 loss to the College of Saint Benedict on Wednesday night at Claire Lynch Hall.  Saint Ben's, who has a two-match lead on second place in the MIAC standings, moves to 15-6 overall (7-1 MIAC), while the Knights drop to 6-13 overall (3-5 MIAC).
 
Carleton scored the first point of the match and held the advantage in the early going.  That lead grew to as many as four points midway through the opening set, taking a 14-10 lead on back-to-back kills from Sylvia Dixon and Rachel Bingham. 
 
But the Bennies responded by scoring the next four points to tie the set as part of an 11-2 run that gave the home team a 21-16 lead and break the frame open.  Saint Benedict went on to score the final three points to take the opening set 25-18. 
 
Saint Ben's grabbed the early advantage in the second set, leading 10-8 before the Knights answered with a momentum-shifting run.  The Knights sprinted out on a 7-1 run to take a four-point lead (15-11).  The run was highlighted by a pair of service aces and Carleton had the momentum for the second straight set. 
 
But another response from the Bennies took the momentum right back.  Saint Ben's scored eight straight points to flip the four-point deficit to a four-point lead (19-15) late in the set.  The Bennies went on to score six of the final nine points of the frame to win the set 25-20 and gain a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Carleton jumped out to another lead in the third set, opening up a 6-1 lead thanks to four service aces from three different players.  The lead remained five points (9-4) until the Bennies scored five consecutive points to tie the score (9-9).  Tied 14-14, Saint Ben's scored six straight to open up a 20-14 lead before four straight points for the Knights brought the visitors within two (20-18).
 
With their backs against the wall, the Knights trailed 23-20.  But a 4-0 run, including back-to-back aces from junior Kerrigan Candra, gave the Maize and Blue a 24-23 edge with set point looming.  But the Bennies took the final three points of the frame to come from behind and win the set 26-24 and close the match with a 3-0 win.
 
Sylvia Dixon led the way for the Knights offensively with seven kills, followed by Kate Wiczynski with six.  Megan Smith tallied 11 assists, while Annelise Sokolow and Kerrigan Candra each registered double-figure digs with 14 and 12, respectively.
 
Up Next for the Knights
The Knights will return to West Gym for their final home match on Saturday night when they host St. Catherine for a 7:00pm start.