WINONA, Minn. – With a roster filled with new faces — including four starters when the Saint Mary's volleyball team took the court Friday afternoon — head coach Amber Zitzow probably expected a few first-match jitters.
 
Not a chance.
 
Playing like a group of wily veterans, the Cardinals kicked off the 2023 campaign in impressive fashion, rolling to a 3-0 nonconference sweep of Marian in the opening match of the Sugar Loaf Classic, sponsored by Toppers Pizza.
 
And while several Cardinals got their feet wet for the very first time against the Sabres, it was senior Ciarra McNally (Lewiston, Minn.) who led the Saint Mary's onslaught.
 
The two-time All-MIAC outside hitter racked up double-double No. 1 on the season, hammering out a match-high 16 kills and adding 11 digs, while Faith VanErp (Sartell, Minn.) dished out 30 assists and Allison Wu (Woodbury, Minn.) delivered a team-best 12 digs.
 
The Cardinals (1-0 overall) are back in action Friday, squaring off against Lawrence at 7 p.m.
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