Box Score By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
ST. PETER, Minn. — One thing was certain when the Saint Mary's University volleyball team stepped on the court Saturday afternoon for its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown against Gustavus — the Cardinals had to beat the Gusties to keep any hopes of receiving one of the conference's six post-season invitations.
 
The Gusties, however, refused to follow the Cardinals script.
 
Saint Mary's got a double-double from Lexi Barth (Bryon, Minn.) and 31 assists from Lillian Braun (Mantorville, Minn.), but it was not enough to carry the Cardinals into the post-season, as Gustavus snuffed out Saint Mary's playoff dreams with a 3-1 victory at Lund Center Gym.
 
Gustavus jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a 25-18 win in the opening set, but Saint Mary's turned the tables with a 25-19 victory in the second set to pull even at 1-1. The Gusties took charge in the third and fourth sets, winning 25-21 and 25-11 to seal the win.
 
Barth, playing in her final collegiate match, delivered 11 kills and 13 digs for the Cardinals, while Rachel Kedl (Lamberton, Minn.) finished with a team-best 13 kills. Braun — who became the fourth player in program history last week — closed out her illustrious collegiate career with 31 assists against the Gusties, while DeJaye Baab (Wabasha, Minn.) delivered a team-high 22 digs.
 
Kate Holtan amassed a match-high 17 kills, while Mikaya Johnson notched 25 assists and 10 digs, and Hailey Embacher posted 22 digs in the winning effort for Gustavus.
 
The Cardinals closed out the season sitting at 5-6 in conference play, while posting a 15-13 overall record.