SMU opens Day 2 with win vs. Loras

Donny Nadeau, SMU Sports Information Office

Match Summary

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Saint Mary's University volleyball coach Mike Lester found himself faced with a rather difficult decision over the weekend: With a key regular-season match remaining against Gustavus next Wednesday, just how should his team approach the four-team UW-La Crosse Invitational?

On one hand, Lester could use the tournament as a final tune-up for Wednesday's showdown vs. the Gusties — make sure his starters got plenty of playing time, while hopefully working all the kinks out of their game

On the other hand, he could use the tournament as a chance to rest his starters, making sure that they are fresh for that key MIAC matchup.

Lester opted for a little of both.

After using his starters for most of Friday's two matches, a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to 13th-ranked UW-La Crosse and an easy 3-0 win over Buena Vista, Lester went deeper into his bench in Saturday's final two matches — and got similar results, as SMU beat Loras 3-0, then fell to MIAC rival St. Olaf 3-1.

Mollie Melton (Oronoco, Minn.) led the Cardinals' offense against Loras, posting 13 kills and four blocks, while Molli Dant (Forest City, Iowa) chipped in 11 kills and eight digs. Stacy Pearce (Blaine, Minn.) filled in for the Cardinals' regular setter, Tessa Stranik (Eatonville, Wash.), and dished out 13 assists and added 10 digs.

Against St. Olaf, Megan Roesler (St. Paul, Minn.) led the way, posting 14 kills and five aces, with Tracy Koertgen (Crystal Lake, Ill.) tallying 13 kills and three blocks. Lisa Engdahl (North Branch, Minn.) and Melton chipped in 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while Pearce finished with a career-high 42 assists.

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