WINONA, Minn. — It was a real see-saw affair for the Saint Mary's University volleyball team in its conference match against Bethel — with plenty of ups … and downs.
 
The Cardinals found themselves "up" in Sets 1 and 3, and "down" in Sets 2 and 4, only to have Bethel refuse to follow the alternating-set script in the final set, as the Royals posted a 15-8 Set 5 victory in dealing Saint Mary's a 3-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback at the Saint Mary's Gym.
 
The Cardinals got off to a slow start in the opening set, surrendering seven of the first 12 points, but used an 8-3 run to grab a 13-10 lead — a lead the Cardinals would not relinquish. BU got to within one, 17-16, only to have Saint Mary's close the set on an 8-3 run to seal a 25-19 victory.
 
The Royals turned the tables in the second set, overcoming an early 12-10 deficit with a 7-2 burst that propelled Bethel to a 25-19 victory, and evened the match at 1-1.
 
Saint Mary's regained the upper hand in the third set, scoring the first three points and never looking back in cruising to a 25-18 victory. Once again, however the Royals had an answer, forcing a fifth and decisive set with a 25-13 Set 4 win.
 
And the Royals would maintain the momentum in the fifth set, securing four of the first five points and breezing to the 15-8, match-clinching victory.
 
Kali Olson (New York Mills, Minn.) led the way for the Cardinals, collecting 17 kills. The freshman was one of three SMU players with 10 or more kills, being joined by Brenna Bruchert (Eau Claire, Wis.) and Ciarra McNally (Lewiston, Minn.) with 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Faith VanErp (Sartell, Minn.) dished out 40 assists, and McNally delivered a team-leading 21 digs en route to her 15th kill-dig double-double of the season.
 
The Cardinals (3-6 MIAC, 11-17 overall) are right back on their home court on Saturday, when they welcome Hamline to the Saint Mary's Gym for a 7 p.m. Senior Night showdown.
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