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WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University volleyball team closed out the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic the same way they started it — with a five-set marathon.

Unfortunately, the end result wasn't the same, as Luther thwarted SMU's 2-0 rallying, posting a 15-9 win in the fifth and deciding set to beat the Cardinals 3-2.

The Cardinals struggled early, dropping the first two sets 25-23 and 25-21, before finding their rhythm with a 25-13 win in the third set and a thrilling 28-28 victory in Set No. 4.

The fifth set, however, belonged to Luther, which jumped out to a 5-1 lead and never looked back in handing the Cardinals their first loss of the season.

Kara Grant (Peosta, Iowa) collected a team-high 16 kills in leading three SMU players in double figures. Amy Kujak (River Falls, Wis.) and Mary Nordick (Plymouth, Minn.) chipped in 12 and 11 kills, respectively, with the duo also each hitting a team-best .429.

Lexi Assimos (Northbrook, Ill.) collected 45 assists — giving her 142 assists for the four Sugar Loaf Classic matches — while Erika Hurley (Chatfield, Minn.) amassed 23 digs. Cathy Rennie (Pine Island, Minn.) and Tara Rasmussen (Kasson, Minn.) each finished with 10 digs, while Rennie also led the team with three service aces.

Sophie Brown led three Luther players in double figures with 16 kills, while Kelsey Sorensen finished with 15 and Hannah Walker added 14.

The Cardinals are back in action Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9-10, when they travel to Beverly, Mass., to take part in the Endicott College Tournament.