WINONA, Minn. — After dropping the first two sets of their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match against Saint Benedict, the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team appeared poised for yet another five-set marathon.
 
After all, the Cardinals had already played seven five-set matches, and would need three straight set wins against the Blazers to make it eight.
 
Unfortunately, the Blazers had other ideas, outlasted Saint Mary's 25-23 in the third set to complete the 3-0 sweep of the Cardinals at the Saint Mary's Gym.
 
Saint Benedict used mid-set rallies in each of the first two sets to post back-to-back 25-19 victories, before closing out the win with the 25-23 win in Set 3.
 
Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) led the way for the Cardinals, collecting 13 kills and adding 12 digs for her team-leading eighth double-double of the season. Rachel Kedl (Lamberton, Minn.) chipped in 10 kills, with Brittney Hanson (Janesville, Iowa) and Lillian Braun (Kasson, Minn.) delivering 23 and 17 assists, respectively. Claire Tack (St. Charles, Ill.)—the reigning MIAC Setter/Libero of the Week—posted 18 digs and Linnaea Wallis (Dresser, Wis.) pitched in 10 in the losing effort.
 
Liz Schultz pounded out a match-high 14 kills and Megan Pekarek dished out 30 assists for the Blazers, who hit .301 as a team and posted 23 block assists.
 
The Cardinals (2-2 MIAC, 11-6 overall) are right back in action on Saturday, hosting Concordia in a 3 p.m. conference matchup at the Saint Mary's Gym.