WINONA, Minn. – The Saint Mary's volleyball team is off to a slow start at the Central Invitational.
 
SMU 3, Simpson 0
 
The first set of the match ran long with a fighting effort to take the first, but falling short by two. The Cardinals began to heat up capturing 14 kills in the third set taking that set and pushing another.
 
Ultimately, the height of the Storm was too much to handle as the Cardinals lost the blocking battle by triple what they recorded.
 
Brenna Bruchert had 11 kills to lead the Cardinals and the freshman Emma Rommes snagged 18 assists in her debut.
 
SMU 1, Grinnell 3
 
The Cardinals could not stop the runs made by Grinnell in each set and a few tough serves were where the Cardinals struggled as they gave up 12 aces throughout the match.
 
Bruchert added to her heavy hitting day as she recorded 15 kills for the match. Another strong debut by Kinlee Grattan as she completed 20 assists.
 
On the defensive end Lindsey Rossow and Paige Klug were tough to get past as they both recorded 11 and 10 digs.
 
The Cardinals finish the Central Invitational tomorrow with the first game starting at 10am against Buena Vista.