By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The day didn't start quite the way Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball coach Jackie Kiecker had hoped — but it certainly ended that way.
 
The Cardinals — coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Northwestern on Friday night — could not seem to get on track in their opening match of the day Saturday, dropping a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-20) decision to UW-Oshkosh.
 
In match two, however, the Cardinals turned their game up a notch — or two.
 
After splitting the first two sets of their nonconference match against UW-River Falls, the Cardinals hit their stride, cruising to back-to-back wins for a 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-15, 25-11) win over the Falcons.
 
Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) and Gloria Kitange (Rochester, Minn.) led the way for Saint Mary's against UW-Oshkosh, finishing with nine and eight kills, respectively. Lillian Braun (Mantorville, Minn.) dished out 26 assists, while Blattner also led the team with 14 digs.
 
Blattner again took the offensive lead against UW-River Falls, hammering out a match-high 19 kills, while Rachel Kedl (Lamberton, Minn.) chipped in 16 and hit a team-best .414. Braun delivered 46 assists and 10 digs, while Blattner and Carley Cronen (Kandiyohi, Minn.) each led the team with 12 digs.
 
step out of conference play for the final time this season on Wednesday, heading to UW-La Crosse's Mitchell Hall in La Crosse, Wis., for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Eagles.