ST. PAUL, Minn. -- In a thrilling five-set match-up that included 23 ties and nine lead changes, St. Catherine volleyball and the visiting Saint Mary's University pushed each other to five sets in the Wildcats season opener. Saint Mary's came away with the 3-2 victory (17-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 15-10) over St. Kate's at Butler Center Gym on Wednesday evening. 

Lauren Isaacson led the Wildcats tallying a double-double with 14 kills and 18 digs. Rookie Maggie Rosen joined Isaacson in double-digit kills with 13 kills in her debut along with nine digs. First-year Georgia Tilton was also impressive in her debut with three blocks and three kills as junior Bryana Leverentz recorded eleven kills, four digs, and one block. Junior Grace Amacher led the team defensively with 20 digs for her 20th career match with 20 or more digs. 

St. Kate's found themselves behind twice in set one to come back with a 25-17 victory closing it out with Amacher at the service line for eight consecutive points. Set two opened with the Wildcats and Cardinals trading points before Saint Mary's took an eight-point lead at 18-10. St. Kate's last-ditch effort to inch their way back into the set forcing several errors plus two service aces in a row from senior Erin Cutts still wasn't enough as the Cardinals closed it at 25-22. 

The third set was in favor of the Wildcats 25-22 while set four went back to the Cardinals forcing the fifth decisive set similar to the last time these two teams faced each other 522 days ago. St. Kate's grabbed a quick 4-1, then 8-3 lead over Saint Mary's in the fifth set before the Cardinals rallied back knotting it up at 9-9. Saint Mary's went onto adding the needed six points as the St. Kate's was only able to secure one more with a kill from Isaacson. The Cardinals went onto win the final set 15-10. 

St. Kate's is back in action on Tuesday, April 13 for Senior Day at Butler Center hosting the University of St. Thomas at 7 pm. The Wildcats will also play at Concordia Moorhead on Wednesday, April 21 and at Hamline University for the final match of the season on Wednesday, April 28.