WINONA, Minn. — After breezing through the season-opening Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic with a perfect 4-0 record a year ago, the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team was looking to get off to a similar start this season.
 
UM-Morris, however, had other ideas.
 
The Cougars, behind the one-two punch of Morgan Miller and Rachel Mathias, derailed the Cardinals' bid for a second straight perfect Sugar Loaf Classic run before they even had a chance to get out of first gear, dealing Saint Mary's a 3-0 setback Friday afternoon at the Gostomski Fieldhouse.
 
UM-Morris took control early in both the first and second sets, winning 25-18 and 25-15 to grab a 2-0 advantage. The Cougars needed to come from behind in Set 3, rattling off six unanswered points and outscoring Saint Mary's 17-9 down the stretch to deal the Cardinals a 25-19 setback in the third and final set.
 
Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) recorded a team-high eight kills, while Brittney Hanson (Janesville, Iowa) dished out 14 assists and Clare Tack (St. Charles, Ill.) delivered a team-best 10 digs and four service aces.
 
Miller finished with a match-high 13 kills and hit .684, while Mathias chipped in 11 kills to lead the way for UM-Morris.
 
The Cardinals (0-1 overall) are back in action tonight at 6 p.m., squaring off against UW-Stout in the second of four matches in the two-day Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic.