MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Saint Mary's volleyball team (11-16, 4-7) closed out its 2025 season Saturday evening, falling in straight sets to Augsburg (11-18, 5-6)  inside Si Melby Hall.

Saint Mary's came out swinging in the opening frame, trading points early on with kills from Brenna Bruchert and Kali Olson to keep things even 4-4. The Auggies used a mid-set surge, fueled by a run of service aces, to build a cushion, and though Olson's late ace sparked a brief rally, Augsburg held on for the 25-17 win.

The Cardinals regrouped in the second set, with Bruchert again setting the tone early and Kinlee Grattan adding an ace at 11-18 to keep Saint Mary's within striking distance. Ayla Olson provided a late spark with a series of kills to pull the Cardinals within four, but the Auggies closed it out 25-20.

In the third set, Saint Mary's put together one of its strongest stretches of the night, led by another flurry of kills from Bruchert and Olson at 5-7. The Cardinals continued to press, narrowing the deficit late, but Augsburg's serving once again proved the difference as the Auggies secured the 25-21 set and the match sweep.

Bruchert paced the Cardinals with 11 kills on a stellar .435 hitting percentage for her final game, while Kali Olson followed with 9 kills and 3 aces for a team-high 13 points. 

Devann Clemens and Grattan combined for 21 assists, with Grattan adding 6 digs and an ace.

The loss concludes the 2025 campaign for Saint Mary's but the loss is nothing to hang their heads about with a stellar turnaround season from a winless conference record in 2024 to a playoff contender down the stretch this season.