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WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University volleyball coach Mike Lester knew there were going to ups and downs early in the season.

And Saturday's match against Luther at the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic certainly fit the bill — there were certainly some ups, as well as downs.

The Norse took advantage of SMU's slow start, cruising to wins of 25-12 and 25-17 in the first two sets, then completed the 3-0 sweep of the Cardinals by rattling off the set's last eight points to break a 17-17 deadlock and secure their second straight 25-17 win.

Jenna Sullivan (Woodbury, Minn.) collected seven kills and Alex Peterson (Harmony, Minn.) added six for the Cardinals, who also got 18 assists from Lexi Assimos (Northbrook, Ill.) and nine digs from Lex Krogstad (Chicago, Ill.)

Natalee Johnson and Kelsey Sorensen led the Norse offensive attack, garnering 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Lindsey Ryan dished out 36 assists and Katie Supplee finished with 14 digs in the win.

The Cardinals (1-2 overall) close out play in the two-day season-opening tournament at 4 p.m., squaring off against St. Scholastica.