NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Mike Lester wasn't about to put any added pressure on his Saint Mary's University volleyball team, but the Cardinals head coach knew the importance of his team's matches against St. Olaf, Macalester and St. Catherine.

Three wins, and the Cardinals were right back in the thick of the chase for a spot in the MIAC post-season tournament. Anything less than a three-match sweep, and the Cardinals' playoff hopes would be alive, but just barely.

Unfortunately, thanks to Wednesday's heartbreaking 3-2 loss to St. Olaf, the Cardinals were officially put on life support.

"It was a struggle for both teams," admitted SMU coach Mike Lester, whose team dropped to 2-3 in the conference. "Both teams served fairly aggressively, and the passing for both teams was not very good at all. It really came down to who took advantage of the serving game."

The Cardinals opened strong, winning the first game 30-28, but St. Olaf rallied to even the match with a 30-26 win in Game 2, then crushed SMU in Game 3, 30-19, before the Cardinals regrouped with a 30-25 win to force a fifth and deciding game, which the Oles dominated from start to finish, 15-6.

Ashley Dingels (Gibbon, Minn.) recorded 22 kills and five blocks to lead the way for the Cardinals, while Kirstan Rouzer (Comstock, Wis.) chipped in 20 digs and Melissa Cowan (Algonquin, Ill.) dished out 42 assists.

SMU (10-12 overall) returns home this weekend, playing host to Macalester on Friday and St. Catherine on Saturday.