After dropping two straight matches and not posting a win since the Cardinal Tournament Sept. 9, LHS needed a successful outing and got it by sweeping the Rebels in a three-game match.
"I felt we beat them like we should have," said Cardinal coach Mary Jo Graphenteen. "We needed a win like this. When it looked like they might go on a run, we came up with the big hit or big save and took over from there."
Serving woes kept the Cards from putting together long runs themselves, but they did have their way with LH in Game 1 by strolling to a 15-1 win.
Games 2 and 3 were tighter with Luverne prevailing by 15-11 and 15-12 counts.
The match had its good and bad points for LHS.
"Our hitting overall was much better in this match. We were able to put the ball on the floor. We missed 13 serves in three games, so we're still missing way too many serves," Graphenteen said.
Tracey Scheidt, who was 10 of 12 serving, tied Missy Boomgaarden for the team lead in kills with nine. Susan Remme, who was 12 of 15 serving, added eight kills.
Nicole Aaker was nine of nine at the line, and Brooke Lundgren, who was 11 of 12 serving, paced the Cards with 10 set assists.
Graphenteen said Emmy Bush and Monica Christensen did a good job of filling in for the injured Emily Kuhlman in the middle hitter position. Amy Nunez and Abbey Franken were praised for solid play, as were setters Erin Lammert and Melissa Kopp.
The 7-6-1 Cards play in Worthington tonight before taking on Red Rock Central in Jeffers Tuesday.