DE PERE, Wis. – It took ten sets, but they got it done. The Saint Mary's volleyball team (4-2) got the weekend started with a pair of wins at the St. Norbert Chick-fil-A Invitational over Lakeland (5-4) and host school St. Norbert (1-6).
They took their competition to five sets but came out on top in both matches, 3-2.
SMU 3, SNC 2
After falling in set one, 25-23, the Cardinals were determined to snap back.
In set two, the Cardinals tallied 12 kills in the 25-21 win. Kali Olson achieved yet another milestone as the senior earned her 100th career solo block as she led all scorers in blocks with four in the match.
The Cardinals started the set with a 9-4 lead aided by the Olson sisters, Kali and Ayla Olson, tough serving by Lavin LeJeune, and a kill from Maddie Baker. Back-to-back service aces from Kinlee Grattan would extend the lead to 15-8 as the Cardinals produced action.
The energy pushed them to yet another close set three, 25-23, where the Cardinals came out on top, spoiling a four-point comeback by the Saints. The Saints were able to take set four to extend the match.
In the final frame, the Cardinals capitalized on the errors by the Saints as the Saints accumulated eight errors in the fifth set.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was Ayla Olson with 15 kills; Brianna Hanneken tied her career high in kills with 13 and three blocks.
LeJeune recorded a career-high 25 assists.
SMU 3, LC 2
Maybe a few tired legs, but the Cardinals were able to persevere. The Cardinals turned around to play the Muskies after five sets and wanted another one.
Saint Mary's took set one 25-20 on 14 kills. A hot 5-1 start with three quick errors from the Muskies. The Cardinals went on to another 6-0 run that was fueled by a personal 3-0 kill streak by Kali Olson.
In set two, despite 15 kills, the Cardinals committed seven errors and dropped set two, 25-20.
It took extra points in set three as the Cardinals tried to mount a late comeback, but the offense could not find their rhythm with a match-low eight kills. The Cardinals bounced back, taking set four 25-20 before leaving their heart on the court in set five.
Brooklyn Bolton played a key role in pushing the Cardinals past the Muskies. The libero served a 6-0 run to start the final set with two aces and fueled Kali Olson with two early kills. Although the Muskies made a run themselves, it was the defense by the libero pair Bolton and Mackenzie Wenger that kept the ball up.
The Cardinals deserve to celebrate two gritty wins to open up the weekend.
Kali Olson earned 17 kills with eight blocks, and Wenger recorded 22 digs on defense to lead the Cardinals.
Looking ahead
The Cardinals will return to St. Norbert College tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. facing Ripon before finishing the weekend invitational against Lawrence at 3:00 p.m.
