WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team was good in the opening set of their season-opening match against Finlandia Friday afternoon.
 
They were even better in the second.
 
And even better yet in the third.
 
The Cardinals made quick work of the Lions in the opening match of the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic, getting a match-high nine kills from Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) in cruising to a 3-0 victory.
 
"We did a nice job," said Saint Mary's coach Mike Lester. "For a first match, I thought we played pretty well. We got everyone into the match, which was important—especially early on in the season."
 
The Cardinals let the pesky Lions hang around in the opening set, before pulling away for a 25-18 win. Saint Mary's pushed their lead to 2-0 with a 25-15 victory in the middle set, before completing the sweep with a 25-11 win in Set 3.
 
Along with Blattner's nine kills, the Cardinals got seven kills and a .417 attack percentage from Sara Lind, while Molly Urban (Roseville, Minn.) hit a team-best .44 and added five kills. Brittney Hansen (Janesville, Iowa) dished out a team-leading 21 assists, with Maddie Hess (Lewiston, Minn.) chipping in 12, while Morgan Thomas (Palos Park, Ill.) recorded a team-best 13 digs.
 
The Cardinals (1-0 overall) are right back on the court at 6 p.m. Friday evening, squaring off against St. Norbert.