Wartburg cruises past Cardinals

Donny Nadeau, SMU Sports Information Office

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University volleyball managed just one victory in their three games at the St. Benedict Invitational, but when it comes right down to it, it was the one match that mattered most — against host and conference rival St. Benedict.

The Cardinals, who dropped a 3-2 decision to Simpson in their opening match and then lost to Wartburg 3-1 in Match 2, rebounded with a 3-2 marathon victory over the Blazers in the third and final match of the tournament.

Against Simpson, the Cardinals opened with a 30-26 victory, but then dropped games of 30-21 and 30-27, before rallying for a 30-25 win in the fourth game to force the deciding fifth game, which the Storm won 19-17. Rhonda Thibault (Faribault, Minn.) and Tracy Koertgen (Crystal Lake, Ill.) each collected 16 kills to lead the Cardinal attack, while Kirstan Rouzer (Comstock, Wis.) added 10 kills and Melissa Cowan (Algonquin, Ill.) finished with 49 assists.

In the match against Wartburg, the Cardinals again started fast, winning the first game 30-27, only to lose the next three 30-28, 30-14 and 30-23. Koertgen was again the Cardinals' offensive leader, collecting 16 kills and four service aces, while Cowan delivered 38 assists and Thibault finished with a team-high five service aces.

Against the Blazers, SMU was again on the brink of elimination, winning Game 1 30-17, only to lose Games 2 and 3 by scores of 30-23 and 31-29. The Cardinals regrouped with a 30-24 win in the fourth game and took the fifth game 15-11 to seal the victory. Five SMU players collected 11 or more kills, led by 12 each from Koertgen and Thibault, Nicholls, Maisa Rouzer (Comstock, Wis.) and Ashley Dingels (Gibbon, Minn.) each pitched in 11, while Cowan served up 53 assists.

The Cardinals (3-6 overall) return to conference play on Wednesday, traveling to Bethel, before returning home on Friday for a rematch with the Blazers.

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