Hamline feels Cardinals' wrath

Donny Nadeau, SMU Sports Information Office

Match Summary

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University volleyball team entered Wednesday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match against Hamline in the midst of a three-match losing streak.

And the Pipers learned firsthand what it's like to feel the Cardinals' wrath.

Led by Tracy Koertgen (Crystal Lake, Ill.) and Kirstan Rouzer (Comstock, Wis.), the Cardinals dismantled the overmatched Pipers in three straight — and made quick work of it as SMU needed just over an hour to post a 30-23, 30-20, 30-17 victory.

"That was a good win for us — we needed to come out and play that way," said SMU coach Mike Lester, whose team improved to 2-3 in the MIAC and 9-9 overall. "We were solid from start to finish."

The Cardinals actually started out a bit sluggish in the first game, and found themselves tied with the Pipers 23-23. Enter SMU's lone senior, Melissa Cowan (Algonquin, Ill.), who promptly served out the final seven points, collecting three aces in the proccess.

And the Pipers never threatened again as SMU pulled away in both the second and third games.

Koertgen led the Cardinals' offensive attack, collecting a match-high 12 kills. Rouzer chipped in 11 kills and eight digs, while Cowan tallied 20 assists and five aces.

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