Match Summary | GameDay Preview

ST. PAUL, Minn. — For the fourth time in as many Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matches, the Saint Mary's University volleyball team squared off against a league-leader Friday evening.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals and coach Mike Lester, the result was the same, as nationally ranked St. Thomas handed SMU a 3-0 conference setback.

“St. Thomas is a very good team — they are very consistent from start to finish,” said Lester, whose team entered Friday's match against St. Thomas having already squared off against Concordia, Saint Benedict and Bethel — all three tied with the Tommies atop the MIAC standings heading into Friday's action. “I thought we played pretty well — especially in the first two sets.

“But we just weren't as consistent as (St. Thomas) was.”

Kara Grant (Peosta, Iowa) led the way for the Cardinals, collecting 13 kills, while also hitting a team-best .270. Lexi Assimos finished with 27 assists and recorded a team-leading nine digs.

Jill Greenfield recorded a match-high 14 kills for the 12th-ranked Tommies, who won their 12th straight match. Kelly Foley chipped in 13 kills and Ashley Maher tallied 42 assists.

The Cardinals (1-7 MIAC, 15-13 overall) are right back in action on Saturday, traveling across town to Hamline for a 3 p.m. conference match against the Pipers.