By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — After what seemed like a long preseason, Saint Mary's University volleyball coach Jackie Kiecker was eager for her team to get the season off and running Friday afternoon.
 
And run the Cardinals did in their opening match.
 
The Cardinals got out of the gates quickly in their opening match of the Ground Round Sugar Loaf Classic, winning the first two sets against UW-Superior, only to stumble a bit in Sets 3 and 4.
 
In the fifth and decisive set, however, the Cardinals kick things into high gear, cruising to a 15-6 victory and a hard-fought 3-2 season-opening victory.
 
Linnaea Wallis (Dresser, Wis.) led the Cardinals' offensive charge, hammering out a match-high 17 kills, while Lexi Barth (Byron, Minn. / 14), Rachel Kedl (Lamberton, Minn. / 12) and Daynalyn Jostock (Millville, Minn. / 10) also chipped in 10 or more kills in the victory. Wallis also chipped in 17 digs for her first double-double of the season.
 
Lillian Braun (Mantorville, Minn.) delivered 54 assists, five kills, and eight digs, and DeJaye Baaab (Wabasha, Minn.) posted 27 digs).
 
Cami Sletta and Cassie Teff posted 16 and 11 kills, respectively and Haily Atwood had 20 digs for the Yellowjackets.
 
The Cardinals (1-0 overall) are back in action at 6 p.m. with a match against the University of Dubuque.