After "beat[ing] St. Ben's in three games" during a tournament earlier this season, this game went longer than expected; "they had a big block on us," said Andrea Drapcho '04, referring to the amount of pressure St. Benedict's put toward protecting their side of the net.

The fifth game resulted in a score of 23-21, about 14 extra points played than usual.

However, Head Coach Traci Cook said she was "pleased with how we played. We fought well in the long fifth game."

Despite the loss on Friday, "we still played a step up," said Andrea Cuff ‘04. "In Wednesday's game against Gustavus, we had trouble with serve receive passes which hindered us."

The co-captains, Cuff and Drapcho, agreed that a day of practicing only serve receive passes worked out the kinks and proved effective in their performance over the weekend.

Friday night, men's football players arrived at the bleachers in style.

They sported their respective Ole jerseys and spectacularly matching spandex, showing homage to the volleyball uniform.

Ole fans cheered enthusiastically throughout the second game as the volleyball women came from behind and completed their first game successfully.

Saturday Concordia came to play, but didn’t have a prayer. The Oles swept them with a 3-1 defeat.

Losing three key players to graduation last year, the returning players took up the slack. During the Concordia game, "Drapcho pounded the ball well and took a leadership role and Ashley Novak was awesome, she drove the offense with passing" said Cook.

Cook said after the game, "we put them away like we should have."

Challenging matches await the volleyball team; Bethel, St. Thomas and St. Mary's will all be contests to attend. Oct. 15 is the next home appearance for the Oles. They will be facing Bethel.

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