DUBUQUE, Minn. - An epic battle across the border! The Saint Mary's volleyball team (6-5) kicked off the weekend in Iowa beating Loras College (3-6) in a late night five set thriller, bouncing back from a tough 3-1 loss to Wartburg College (6-2) earlier in the Invite. 

SMU 1, WC 3

Wartburg was on the board first with a 2-1 score in the first set. The Cardinals managed to keep the score close throughout, with Ayla Olson recording multiple kills, but Wartburg's consistent attacks, including a run of four consecutive points from 12-9 to 16-9, extended their lead. Wartburg took control and the set concluded in a 25-17 victory.

In the second set, Wartburg established control early sparking a 5-0 run that extended their lead to 6-3. The Cardinals responded with a brief surge, tying the score at 7-7, but the Knights countered to pull ahead 10-7. The momentum remained with Wartburg as they capitalized on the Cardinals errors taking a 25-16 victory.

In the third set, the Cardinals and the Knights went point-for-point early, with neither team securing more than a two-point lead. Wartburg initially gained a 2-0 advantage, but the Cardinals quickly equalized and later took a 3-2 lead after a kill by Kali Olson. The Cardinals mounted a pivotal 5-0 run, featuring two attack errors by the Knights, to go ahead 17-14. The Cardinals closed out the set 25-22, with Brenna Bruchert and Maddie Baker delivering decisive kills.

In the fourth set, Wartburg established early momentum with a 3-2 lead. The Cardinals managed to keep the set competitive, tying the score at 5-5, however, the Knights gained control with a 5-2 run. A. Olson's effective attacking helped the Cardinals briefly narrow the gap, but Wartburg dominated the latter stages. Wartburg secured a decisive 25-16 victory.

Wartburg's serving was a key factor, as they recorded 13 aces compared to the Cardinals one.

A. Olson had a career high 15 kills in the loss.

SMU 3, LC 2

To start the late night match, both teams exchanged points until the Cardinals pulled ahead with a five-point streak, highlighted by consecutive kills from Bruchert and Paige Klug, bringing the score to 14-6. The DuHawks responded with a series of points, narrowing the gap to 20-17. However, the Cardinals regained control, closing out the set with a 5-1 run, including big kills from K.Olson and Bruchert, to secure a 25-18 victory.

In the second set, the DuHawks capitalized on a series of attack errors early on to build a 6-2 lead. The Cardinals responded with a brief run, reducing the deficit to 7-6 after a kill from Bruchert. It was all DuHawks after a 7-point streak extended their lead to 19-11. Despite a late effort by Saint Mary's, with Maddie Baker and A. Olson contributing to a 4-point run, Loras secured the set 25-19.

The third set between Saint Mary's and Loras featured a series of momentum shifts with both teams exchanging leads. The DuHawks began with an early advantage, taking a 9-5 lead. The Cardinals responded with a run, narrowing the gap to 13-15, fueled by multiple kills from the Olson sisters. Saint Mary's continued to press, tying the score at 17-17 with back-to-back service aces by Kinlee Grattan. However, the DuHawks regained control, ultimately leading her team to a 25-22 victory despite the Cardinals efforts to close the margin late in the set.

Onto the fourth set, the Cardinals took a strong start with a 3-0 lead with two kills from Bruchert. The momentum continued as Klug and Bruchert delivered back-to-back service aces, propelling them to a 6-1 advantage. The DuHawks responded with a brief surge, closing the gap to 7-5. The Cardinals maintained control, extending the lead to 18-14 with consistent scoring from once again, the twin towers called the Olson sisters. The DuHawks mounted a late comeback attempt, narrowing the score to 18-18 but it was the Cardinals who closed out the set with a 25-21 victory, highlighted by final kills from Bruchert and A. Olson.

At 10:08, the fifth set started. The DuHawks initially took a 3-1 lead, however, the Cardinals brought the energy and responded with a significant run, propelled by A. Olson and K. Olson's blocking and offensive efforts, capturing six consecutive points to advance 7-4. A service ace from K. Olson further extended their lead to 11-6. Bruchert and A. Olson continued to dominate offensively, with her final kill sealing the set and the match for the Cardinals taking home the 15-9 win.

Bruchert had herself a monstrous game recording a season best 25 kills aided by 24 assists from Devann Clemens nd 23 from Gratton. 

The Cardinals are off to get some sleep before playing UW-River Falls at noon tomorrow back at Loras Gymnasium.