By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — After back-to-back sweeps in their first two matches of the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic, the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota volleyball team took a little different approach in match No. 3.
 
Fortunately for coach Jackie Kiecker, the end result was just as satisfying.
 
The Cardinals were stretched to the limit—and then some—in their tournament showdown against Edgewood Saturday morning, outlasting the Eagles 17-15 in the fifth and final set to pull out the 3-2 victory.
 
Edgewood jumped out in front with a 25-23 win in the opening set, only to have Saint Mary's rattle off 25-22 and 25-18 victories to grab a 2-1 advantage. Edgewood pulled even with a 25-20 win in the fourth set—setting up the marathon fifth set.
 
Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) hammered out 18 kills and adding 19 digs for her first double-double of the season, while Lillian Braun (Kasson, Minn.) posted a career-best 49 assists and delivered 12 digs for her first double-double of the year.
 
DeJaye Baab (Wabasha, Minn.) chipped in 17 digs, while Carley Cronen (Kandiyohi, Minn.) and Hayley Weber (Gladbrook, Iowa) added 15 and 12 digs, respectively. Cronen also recorded a team-leading five service aces.
 
Sarah Pfeifer and Mackenzie Doherty led the way for Edgewood, recording 24 and 18 kills, respectively, with Alex Zapuchiak dishing out 28 assists, three more than teammate Brittany Sager.
 
The Cardinals (3-0 overall) close out tournament play at 2 p.m., squaring off against Luther at the Gostomski Fieldhouse.