WINONA, Minn. — It was the final home match of the season for the Saint Mary's University volleyball team, and the Cardinals were determined to give their fans — and their three graduating seniors — a proper send-off.
 
Hamline, however, refused to comply — and rained on the Cardinals' season-ending parade.
 
The Pipers jumped out to early leads in the first two sets, and rallied late in the third set in dealing the Cardinals a 3-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback Saturday evening at the Saint Mary's Gym.
 
The Pipers claimed the first two points of the opening set, and never relinquished the lead. SMU got as close as two at 8-6 and 9-7, but could get no closer, as Hamline slowly pulled away in grabbing a 25-17 victory.
 
The second set opened in much the same fashion as the first — and, unfortunately for the Cardinals, ended the same way. HU collected the set's first two points, and, after a pair of ties — the last at 8-8 — the Pipers took control, using a 5-0 run to build a 17-11 advantage and methodically pulling away for a 25-16 victory, and a 2-0 lead.
 
The Cardinals tried a different approach in the third set, recording the first point and playing with leads as big as four, 10-6. The strategy almost worked, but the Pipers would not follow the script, and, after four ties, HU grabbed its first lead, 16-15. Saint Mary's would pull even four more times, including 19-19, but the Cardinals could not wrestle the lead back, and HU finished recording six of the final 10 points for a sweep-clinching 25-23 victory.
 
Ciarra McNally (Lewiston, Minn.) finished with 13 kills in her final match at the Saint Mary's Gym, while fellow senior Faith VanErp (Sartell, Minn.) delivered 31 assists in her home finale. Brenna Bruchert (Eau Claire, Wis.) chipped in 11 kills and Lindsey Rossow (Rochester, Minn.) collected a team-high 23 digs in the losing effort.
 
The Cardinals (3-7 MIAC, 11-18 overall) close out their regular-season schedule next Friday, heading to St. Paul, Minn., for a 7 p.m. conference matchup against Macalester.
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