Last Action: Tonight's match is the season opener for both teams

Last Meeting: The Cardinals made a clean sweep of the Norse in the teams' two meetings a year ago, as SMU rode 13 kills from Ashley Dingels and 40 assists from Tessa Stranik in a 3-0 win at the SMU Sugar Loaf Classic on Sept. 5, 2003, then blanked Luther 3-0 on Sept. 18, behind the 12-kill, 11-block effort of Kirstan Rouzer.

This and That:Tessa Stranik (Eatonville, Wash.) posted

Tessa Stranik School-record 1,433 assists in 2003

a school-record 1,433 assists last season, and was joined by Tracy Koertgen (Crystal Lake, Ill.) on the All-MIAC First Team. … Koertgen finished with a team-leading 392 kills (3.70 kills-per-game) a year ago, while also leading the team in aces (71) and blocks (75). … SMU set a school record with a perfect 10-0 record on its home floor last season — and have now won 16 straight at home, dating back to Sept. 25, 2002. … SMU was ranked No. 3 in the MIAC preseason coaches poll. … Amanda Stratton totalled 319 kills (3.01 kpg) and Molly Ness chipped in a team-high 404 digs to lead Luther to a 12-18 overall record last season. … The Norse were picked to finish eighth in the IAAC preseason coaches poll.