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WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University volleyball coach Mike Lester hates to sound like a broken record, but after watching his Cardinals drop a 3-1 decision to Saint Benedict Friday evening, that exactly what Lester sounded like.

“Consistency has been the key to our success all season,” Lester said. “When we play a solid, side-out game, we can play with anyone, but when we don't, we're going to struggle — just like we did tonight.

“I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's been the same thing over and over again — we just haven't been consistent enough.”

The Cardinals struggled early, dropping the first set 25-17, but SMU regained its composure and evened the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 victory in the second set.

The Cardinals appeared to be in control in the third set, jumping out to an early 9-6 lead. CSB pulled even at 10-10, marking the first of 10 ties in the match — the last one at 22-22 — before the Blazers rattled off three straight points to win the set, 25-22.

CSB then completed the 3-1 victory — the fourth time in as many MIAC losses that the Cardinals have been beaten 3-1 — with a 25-18 win in the fourth set.

“We need to do a better job of passing, no question about that,” said Lester. “In the first set, we only had nine kills — and lost. In the second set, we had 15 (kills) — because we stayed in system, got the ball in the middle to Mary (Nordick) and that opened things up for us. In the third and fourth sets, we reverted back to the way we played in the first set.”

Kara Grant (Peosta, Iowa), led the way for the Cardinals (1-4 MIAC, 13-8 overall), collecting 16 kills, while Sabrina Bushlack (Mapleton, Minn.) chipped in 10 kills. Lexi Assimos (Northbrook, Ill.) recorded 29 assists, with Tara Rasmussen (Kasson, Minn.) and Cathy Rennie (Pine Island, Minn.) tallying 14 and 12 digs, respectively.

“Cathy Rennie had an outstanding match for us,” said Lester of his junior setter. “She made an impact every time she was on the court. She just did a great job tonight.”

The Cardinals are right back in action on Saturday, as they host 10th-ranked Concordia in a 3 p.m. conference match at the SMU Gym.