By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — Talk about an impressive start to the season.
 
The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team kicked off the 2018 season in style Friday afternoon, as the Cardinals sandwiched a pair of 25-19 wins around a 25-16 victory in Set 2 en route to a 3-0 sweep of Dominican during the opening day of the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic.
 
Lillian Braun (Kasson, Minn.) and Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) proved to be a lethal 1-2 combination for the Cardinals, as Braun dished out 32 assists, while Blattner collected 12 kills and six digs in the three-set win.
 
DeJaye Baab (Wabasha, Minn.) kicked off her collegiate career with a team-leading 11 digs, with Brittney Flom (Kenyon, Minn.) chipping in nine kills and five blocks.
 
Stephanie Cole and Gabja Sinickaite each posted seven kills and Anastasia Labadessa posted 18 assists for Dominican (0-1 overall).
 
The Cardinals (1-0 overall) are back in action at 6 p.m. Friday, squaring off against Augustana (Ill.) at the Gostomski Fieldhouse.