ST. PAUL, Minn. — Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball coach predicted a lot of long rallies and long sets when his Cardinals kicked off Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play against St. Catherine Wednesday evening at Butler Center.
 
How right he was—for one set.
 
Saint Mary's rallied from a seven-point, 24-17 deficit to win the opening set 26-24, but from there, the Cardinals made quick work of the host Wildcats, winning the second set 25-17 and the third 25-18 to complete the 3-0, conference-opening sweep.
 
"This was a great way to start the MIAC season," said Lester. "We knew we were going to be in for a battle, and that's exactly what it was. That first set really set the tone. To come back from seven points down at set point was amazing.
 
"So many people played well tonight—this was a great team win."
 
St. Catherine appeared to be in complete control in the opening set, holding leads of 14-7, 17-11, and 24-17. Meaning, one Cardinal miscue and the Wildcats would be up 1-0. Instead, Saint Mary's—behind the serving of Maddie Hess (Lewiston, Minn.)—rattled off nine unanswered points to steal the opening set.
 
The Wildcats led early in Set 2, but with the score tied 15-15, Saint Mary's once again took control, outscoring SCU 10-2 for the 25-17 win—and a commanding 2-0 advantage. Saint Mary's would not need any late-set heroics in the third set, taking the lead for good, 9-8 and never looking back in icing the sweep with a 25-18 victory.
 
Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) led a trio of Cardinals in double figures with 14 kills, with Lexi Barth (Byron, Minn.) adding 12 and Sara Lind (Peterson, Minn.) chipping in 10. Brittney Hanson (Janesville, Minn.) collected a double-double of 29 assists and 16 digs, while Morgan Thomas (Palos Park, Ill.) recorded 28 digs and Lillian Braun (Mantorville, Minn.) dished out 14 assists.
 
The Cardinals (1-0 MIAC, 9-1 overall)—winners of five straight—head to Ripon, Wis., this weekend, squaring off against Alverno, the University of Dubuque, Lawrence, and Ripon as part of the two-day, Ripon Red Hawks Invitational.