Wednesday: at Wisconsin Lutheran (0-7, 0-1)
 

The Eagles will play a conference game on Wednesday for just the second time this season, having defeated Concordia University Chicago 3-1 on the road in the NACC opener on September 16. Wednesday's matchup is against a Wisconsin Lutheran team that dropped its conference opener to Milwaukee School of Engineering 3-1 and has failed to record a win on the season. However, two of the team's losses came against nationally-ranked opponents, as the Warriors fell to UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater earlier this season.

Benedictine has not lost to the Warriors in the NACC era and currently holds a 12-match winning streak in the matchup. Wisconsin Lutheran's last victory over BenU came back in 2004, when the schools were non-conference foes. Last season, the Eagles defeated the Warriors in Lisle behind 29 assists from Abby Screnock. In five career matches against the Warriors, Screnock has tallied 177 assists and 31 digs.
 

Friday and Saturday: IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge in Dubuque, Iowa
 

For the second straight season, the Eagles will compete in the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge. Just like last season, this year's challenge is the last tournament will compete in before hosting the Eagle Classic in late October. It will serve as a final tune-up before the NACC schedule kicks into high gear, as after Saturday, BenU will play nine consecutive NACC matches. Last year's tournament took place in Wisconsin Dells, with the Eagles going 2-2 on the weekend.

Benedictine opens up the tournament schedule against host Loras College (6-9) on Friday at 1:00 p.m. The Duhakws are coming off of a strong showing at the St. Kate's Invite in St. Paul, Minnesota, going 2-1 last weekend. The Eagles and Duhakws met in last season's IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge, with the Eagles winning in five sets behind 28 assists from Screnock, and 21 digs from Caitlyn Martin.

At 5:00 p.m. on Friday, the Eagles will oppose Luther College (9-5). The Norse have won three straight matchups, including a straight-set win over Knox College (whom the Eagles also defeated 3-0 this season). Aside from Knox, Luther also has a common opponent with BenU in Lake Forest, as the Norse split two meetings with the Foresters this season. Luther is the only new opponent BenU will see this weekend, as each of the other three schools opposed the Eagles last season.

Benedictine will then play on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. against Wartburg College (11-2). Perennial contenders in the IIAC, the Knights defeated BenU 3-0 last season, went 7-0 in the IIAC, and won IIAC Tournament Championship to advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament. There, the Knights suffered a first round defeat at the hands of UW-Stevens Point. Currently in the "others receiving votes" category of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll, Wartburg's only two losses this season have come to Carthage College (also mentioned as an "others receiving votes" school) and St. Thomas University (currently ranked 17th).

The tournament wraps up for BenU on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Coe College (12-2). The Kohawks, who have beaten the Eagles once the season and won last year's matchups at the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge, are currently ranked 22nd, losing only to fifth-ranked Calvin College and 24th-ranked Augsburg College this season. The Kohawks do have a win over a ranked opponent this season, defeating Elmhurst (11th) in straight sets at the Elmhurst Invitational.