The Benedictine University men's volleyball team totaled 20 blocks to topple #16 North Central and win the Christian Staple Cup for the first time in five sets at home, snapping a five-game losing streak to North Central in winning the Christian Staple Battle of Chicago & Maple.
Staple was the head coach at Benedictine in 2021 and 2022 before suddenly passing away at 31. Staple also was an assistant at North Central.
Benedictine hit .317 in the contest including .455 in the decisive set.
BENEDICTINE 3, #16 NORTH CENTRAL 1
25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 15-11
LEADERS
KILLS: Cooper Armstrong 20,
Chris Radomski (15),
Jacob Thomas (8)
BLOCKS: Thomas (7), Armstrong (5),
Eoin O'Toole (5),
Spencer VanEngen (5)
ASSISTS: VanEngen (49)
DIGS: Zander Feudner (16), VanEngen (12), Armstrong (9)
The win marked the first over North Central since the Covid shortened season in 2020.
Benedictine (3-1) hosts another team receiving national recognition on Thursday night in Baldwin Wallace.
