Match Summary

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — After three straight 3-0 losses — two against nationally ranked opponents and the other against NCAA Division II cross-town rival Winona State — the Saint Mary's University volleyball team was in dire need of something positive.

Enter Molli Dant (Forest City, Iowa) and Pam Stanton (Mundelein, Ill.).

Fueled by Dant's match-high 19 kills and Stanton's 12 kills, six aces and 16 digs, the SMU duo hoisted the Cardinals on their shoulders and carried them to a streak-snapping, 3-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Augsburg Wednesday evening.

"This was a big win for us for a number of reasons," said Lester, whose team picked up its first MIAC road win with the victory. "One, it got us back on the winning track. We went through a tough, tough stretch in our schedule and it's nice to see us get back in the win column. And, two, it kept our (MIAC) playoff hopes alive. We know that our chances of making the tournament are slim, but all this team is asking for us a chance — and for us to have a chance, we have to win our last three matches.

"This was the first step."

The Cardinals got off on the right foot, cruising to an easy 30-22 Game 1 win, but the Auggies turned the tables on SMU in Game 2, posting a 30-21 victory to even the match at 1-1. From there, however, it was all SMU, as the Cardinals won Game 3 30-25 — despite nearly blowing a 28-18 advantage — then closed out the match with a hard-fought 31-29 win in the fourth game.

"Everyone came our ready to play right from the beginning, and that was evident in the way we played that first game," said Lester. "We had a bit of a letdown in the second, but we regrouped nicely after that.

"We needed a match like this," Lester added. "Everyone has been working hard and trying to stay positive, and tonight, they put together a solid performance from start to finish."