RIPON, Wis. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team lived off fast starts in rolling to 3-1 wins over Marian and Milwaukee School of Engineering during the opening day of the Ripon Red Hawk Invitational Friday evening.
 
The Cardinals could have used some of that quick-strike mentality during their opening match during Saturday's second day of the two-day tournament.
 
Saint Mary's dropped the first two sets in its opener against Lawrence, before battling back to knot the match at two with wins in the third and fourth sets.
 
And with a 13-11 advantage in the fifth and final set, it appeared the Cardinals were a shoo-in for their third straight tournament win.
 
Unfortunately, things weren't exactly as they appeared, as the Vikings rattled off four unanswered points to win the fifth set 15-13 and hand the Cardinals a 3-2 setback.
 
The Cardinals quickly regrouped—and wasted no time putting away host Ripon, beating the Red Hawks 3-0.
 
Brandi Blattner led the way for the Cardinals against Lawrence, collecting 17 kills and adding 19 digs, while Sarah Lind and Erin Lime each chipped in 11 kills. Brittney Hanson dished out a season-high 38 assists vs. the Vikings, with Lillian Braun chipping in 17. Hailey Nisbit finished with three service aces, and
Carley Cronin posted a team-high 28 digs.
 
Blattner again led the Saint Mary's offensive attack against Ripon, collecting 14 kills, one more than Rachel Kedl. Hanson delivered 25 assists and Braun added 13, while Clare Tack posted 28 digs and Nisbit added 11.
 
The Cardinals (10-4 overall) return to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, traveling to Augsburg's Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis, Minn., for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Auggies.