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The Cardinals put two wins on their record in the past week to start the 2021 volleyball season.
Luverne won three of five games at home Thursday night, Aug. 26, against Edgerton and pulled off another 3-2 win over New Ulm on Saturday in St. James.
The Cardinals were scheduled to play Redwood in Luverne on Tuesday, Aug. 31, (after Star Herald press time) and will compete in a triangular at home Thursday, Sept. 2.
Luverne 3, Edgerton 2
The Cardinals competed evenly the first game of their home opener but lost Game 1 to Edgerton, 31-29.
Luverne also lost the second game 25-18, putting them in a "must win" situation for the night.
The Cardinals came out of the huddle a new team for Game 3, securing a comfortable six-point lead by the time Edgerton scored its first point of the game. Luverne never looked back to claim a 25-18 victory in Game 3.
Edgerton didn't give up easily in Game 4, and the two teams volleyed a tug of war on the scoreboard.
With the score at 24-22 in Luverne's favor, Elise Ferrell handed the Dutchmen an ace serve for a 25-22 win to force a fifth game.
Trista Baustian executed a block on Edgerton's opening serve to put Luverne on the scoreboard to open the fifth game.
Luverne won Game 5 15-13 after Kamryn Van Batavia delivered the final attack to help earn their first season win.
"The game may not have started like we wanted it to,” Coach Sarah DeBeer said.
“But we found a way to come together, get over the nerves and finish strong. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Serves: Anja Jarchow 10/11; Trista Baustian 14/14
Digs: Elise Ferrell 16; Macy Stratton 16
Set Assists: Trista Baustian 27; Reghan Bork 15
Blocks: Christina Wagner 4 solos and 12 assists; Trista Baustian 1 solo and 16 assists
Attacks: Elise Ferrell 18 kills; Kamryn Van Batavia 7 kills
Luverne 3, New Ulm 2
The Luverne Cardinals squared off against the New Ulm Eagles Saturday at the Big South Conference Volleyball Showcase in St. James after winning their season opener against Edgerton.
Luverne lost the first game 25-18, despite competing evenly until a series of touch nets and doubles put them behind.
The Cardinals came back in Game 2 with a kill by Elise Ferrell and a tap over the net by Reghan Bork to earn Luverne's first two points.
New Ulm pushed back, but the game shifted in Luverne's favor after an ace serve by Trista Baustian, a subsequent kill by Kamryn Van Batavia, a block by Van Batavia and Christina Wagner and another block by Wagner and Morgan Ahrendt.
The Eagles gained some ground but were stopped short when Macy Stratton delivered a back row attack and then on the next volley dove to help keep the ball in Luverne's control.
The Cardinals sealed the win 25-15 in Game 2 with a series of solid plays by Wagner’s solo block, Ferrell’s ace serve, Baustian’s kill and a block by Wagner and Baustian.
Game 3 started off with alternating points on the scoreboard, but Luverne's momentum took off when Ahrendt delivered a kill and Stratton served up an ace.
The momentum continued with a couple of kills by Ferrell, and the final kill by Wagner put them at 25 for the win.
New Ulm went on the attack in Game 4 with a momentum Luverne couldn't stop and beat the Cardinals 25-12, forcing a fifth contest.
Luverne came back in Game 5 to win 15-8 for the match victory by delivering eight kills from players Ferrell, Anja Jarchow, Stratton, Baustian, Christina Wagner and Elizabeth Wagner.
Serves: Reghan Bork 23 of 24 with 1 ace; Trista Baustian 19 of 19 with 1 ace
Digs: Carly Olson 18; Elise Ferrell 12
Set Assists: Trista Baustian 16; Reghan Bork 18
Blocks: Christina Wagner 4 solos and 12 assists; Elise Ferrell 2 solos and 6 assists
Attacks: Elise Ferrell 11 kills; Christina Wagner 7 kills