WINONA, Minn. — It was an "odd" start to Day 2 of the Ground Round Sugar Classic for the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team.
 
The Cardinals struggled in the odd sets of their opener against unbeaten Carthage, managing just a combined 25 points in the first and third sets, while equaling that mark in both the second and fourth sets.
 
Fortunately for coach Jackie Kiecker, the fifth and deciding set did not follow the same script, as the Cardinals jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in deal the Lady Reds their first loss of the season, 3-2.
 
Carthage dominated the opening set, cruising to a 25-10 win, only to have Saint Mary's turn the tables with a 25-16 victory in Set 2. The Lady Reds returned to their dominating self with a 25-15 victory in the third set, only to have Saint Mary's once again pull even with a 25-21 win in Set 4.
 
In the fifth set, it was all Saint Mary's, as the Cardinals scored seven of the first 10 points en route to the 15-7 win.
 
Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) led the way for the Cardinals, collecting her second double-double of the season with 12 kills and 13 digs. Brittney Hanson (Janesville, Iowa) recorded a team-best 20 assists, four more than Lillian Braun (Kasson, Minn.), while Clare Tack (St. Charles, Ill.) delivered 12 digs.
 
The Cardinals (2-1 overall) close out the two-day Sugar Loaf Classic against Central-Iowa Saturday. Match time is set for 4 p.m.