Playing in their sixth home match of the season, the St Mary Cardinals put another one in the win column on Monday, September 23rd. The Cardinals won in four sets against the Ethan Rustlers by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, and 25-19.
The first set started with ties of 3-3 and 6-6. Ethan went ahead 9-6, but the Cardinals tied the score 10-10. The Cardinals would then take a three-point lead, 15-12, and stayed ahead by three at 18-15. The lead grew to 24-16. The Rustlers went on a 5-0 run to make the score 24-21, but St Mary ended the run and took the win 25-21. The second set would start with ties of 5-5, 9-9, and 12-12. The Cardinals went up front 18-15 and then 21-17. Ethan pulled within a point, 21-20. The Rustlers tied the score 23-23, but St Mary scored the final two points for the 25-23 win.
After another close score to start the third set, Ethan went on a run. The Rusters led 7-6 and then went on a 7-1 run for a 14-8 lead. They held a 17-12 advantage before the Cardinals rallied to cut the lead to one, 17-16. Ethan extended the lead back to four, 21-17, but once again St Mary got within a point, 23-22. Ethan would force a fourth set by scoring the final two points for the 25-22 win. The Rustlers started the fourth set with a 4-2 and 8-6 lead. St Mary tied the score 8-8 and then went ahead 10-8. The Cardinals could stay in the lead the rest of the way. They extended the lead to 16-9. The Cardinals led 23-17, but Ethan tied to make a run and cut the lead to 24-19. St Mary got the final point to win the match.
Brianna Griffin finished with nine kills and 21 digs. Megan Geraets also had nine kills with a block and four digs. Emersyn Herber finished with seven kills, one block, and 10 digs. Madala Hanson added 32 set assists and 10 digs. Jodie Klein had 34 digs. Jenna Miller and Reagan Griffin both had 16 digs each.
