First-year defensive specialist Cassady Smith had three aces, and Araiza Acum-Santos added seven kills as the St. Lawrence University dropped a straight-set decision to St. John Fisher to wrap up its season-opening North Country Challenge tournament. The Saints took early leads in both the first and second sets, but couldn't outlast the Cardinals to drop their second game of the season.

The Saints still sit above .500 despite the loss, holding a 4-2 record entering next weekend's tournament at Muhlenberg College.

"St. John Fisher comes at you with so many weapons and we just couldn't keep pace with their high-powered offense," said Saints head coach Shelly Roiger. "We struggled to win the battle of first-contact and while as a result, we found ourselves out of system a lot while their setter constantly had options. We will regroup and get after it on Monday in practice with a committed intention to details and improvement."

It was a quick start for the Scarlet and Brown, who had four points in a row after going down 3-1, including three straight Acum-Santos kills to take a 5-3 lead. They had eight of a total nine points in an early-set run that put them up 9-4. The Cardinals would respond by ultimately tying the game 15-15 and then recording nine of the last 10 points in the set to win it 25-18.

St. Lawrence took an early 4-0 lead in the second via two Adeline Riesenberger kills, and two Smith aces. The Cardinals would claw their way back into the game again to tie it 5-5 and used a larger run later on in the set to take a 16-7 lead. That was before their 8-0 run was broken up by a service error. They eventually won the set 25-16.

An Acum-Santos kill in the third set was the opening point, and put the Saints up 1-0. The Cardinals led from there, winning the final set of the match 25-18.



St. Lawrence heads to Allentown, Pa. for the Muhlenberg Tournament, beginning with their first game against Cedar Crest on Friday, September 12 at 5 pm. They play Muhlenberg in the late game on Friday, followed by two Saturday contests against William Peace and Hunter.