ST. PAUL, MINN. – To say the St. Catherine University volleyball team's home opener went well may be a gross understatement. In fact, the Wildcats had a fantastic weekend hosting the St. Kate's Invite. The team went 4-0 in the tournament, highlighted by a tremendous five set 3-2 win over Nebraska Wesleyan.

This week, St. Kate's looks to stay hot on its home court as it plays host to Saint Mary's University as it opens Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. Last season, the Wildcats fell to the Cardinals in straight sets in Winona. This year, St. Kate's is looking to turn the tide on Saint Mary's and win its conference opener.

Here are the five facts to know before first serve at 7 p.m.:

8 – The Cardinals and Wildcats went a combined 8-0 last weekend as the top two teams at the St. Kate's Invite. In fact, St. Kate's and Saint Mary's have a combined record of 14-3 after the first two weekends of the season.

1^st – This will be the first time the Wildcats and Cardinals will face each other this season, despite playing in the same two tournaments. St. Kate's traveled to Winona, Minnesota to play in Saint Mary's Sugar Loaf Classic while the Cardinals came to St. Paul for the St. Kate's Invite.

10 – The number of aces senior libero Shanee Herd (Alexandria, Minn. / Jefferson) served in the Wildcats opening match against Marian on Friday. Herd broke the school record for aces in a single match with her performance and helped the team set a school record for aces in a single match (17).

20 – The Wildcats out-blocked their opponents 20-4 last weekend, including a 7 block performance against Central College. In the first eight matches of the season, St. Kate's has compiled 72 total blocks. First year Libby Kreuser (White Bear Lake, Minn. / Totino-Grace) leads the team with 15 block assists and two solo blocks while senior Abby Palmer (Pequot Lakes, Minn. / Pequot Lakes) is second on the team with 14 block assists.

29 – The number of kills Saint Mary's Brandi Blattner hit in the Cardinals 3-1 win over Central at the St. Kate's Invite last weekend. Blattner was named MIAC Volleyball Hitter of the Week for her performance at the two day tournament, where she compiled 79 kills (4.65 per set) and 46 digs in four matches. Blattner is currently ranked second in the MIAC in kills per set (4.65) and kills (126).   

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5 – The Wildcats needed five sets and to overcome a five point deficit to win their biggest match of 2016. After falling to Nebraska Wesleyan 25-10 in the opening set, St. Kate's stormed back to win the second and third sets before the Prairie Wolves won the forced the fifth with a fourth set win. It looked like the Wildcats might have been out of gas, as the team found itself in a 6-1 hole after the first seven points. However, St. Kate's came roaring back to life and eventually won the set 15-13 to take the match.

First serve between the Cardinals and Wildcats is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Butler Center Gym. Those who aren't able to watch the game in person can follow long with live stats or on Twitter @stkateswildcats.