DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team opened the Loras Invitational Friday in much the same fashion as they concluded last weekend's Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic.
 
On a winning note.
 
The Cardinals, 3-0 winners over Luther to conclude a 3-1 run in their home Sugar Loaf Classic last weekend, continued their winning ways on Friday, knocking off UW-Platteville 3-1 and outlasting Loras 3-2 in its first two Loras Invitational matches.
 
Alex Peterson (Harmony, Minn.) and Jenna Sullivan (Woodbury, Minn.) led the Cardinals' offensive attack in their tournament-opening win over UW-Platteville, collecting 16 and 13 kills, respectively. Sullivan also chipped in 16 digs, while Lex Krogstad (Chicago, Ill.) finished with 15.
 
In their win over Loras—the Cardinals' first five-set match of the season—Peterson again led the Cardinals' charge with her second-straight 16-kill match, while Macki Fadness (Eau Claire, Wis.) chipped in 14 . Sullivan and Krogstad again led the way in digs with 16 and 13, respectively, while Fadness and Brittney Hansen (Janesville, Iowa) recorded seven blocks and six service aces, respectively.
 
The Cardinals (6-1 overall) are back in the court on Saturday, squaring off against Wheaton (Ill.) and UW-Stout during the second day of the two-day Loras Invitational.