WINDOM — After splitting the initial two games, the Luverne Cardinals reeled off back-to-back wins to defeat the Fairmont Cardinals, 3-1, during season-opening Big South Conference volleyball cross-over action Saturday.

Luverne posted respective game scores of 25-13, 11-25, 25-7, 25-9, over a shorthanded Fairmont lineup. Junior outside hitter Bailee Swanson and senior libero Ericka Kim were absent from the Cardinals’ roster due to prior commitments.

Courtney Williams topped Fairmont’s performance by cranking 10 kills to complement 21 service receptions, while Alexa Mosloski went 9-for-9 at the service line to go with a team-best 23 service receptions.

Taylor Crissinger distributed 13 set assists, pounded five kills and went 6-for-6 serving for Fairmont, while Andrea Westcott went 15-for-15 at the line and dished out two set assists.

Mallory Mosloski contributed three kills, four blocks and 10-for-11 serving to Fairmont’s effort.

Brenna Cutler pounded down six kills, while Mariah Gochanour chipped in four digs.

Fairmont (0-1) plays host to nonconference rival Martin County West at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night at Cardinal Gym.

Marshall 3, Blue Earth Area 0 — The perennial Class AA powerhouse Tigers pounced to a season-opening 25-6, 25-11, 25-18 victory over the Bucs during Saturday’s Big South cross-over competition in Windom.

Lindsey Norman collected six digs, made four blocks and nailed three kills for Blue Earth Area, while Madi Oelke supplied four digs, three blocks and three kills.

Alissa Norman distributed 11 set assists for the Bucs to complement 7-for-7 serving with two points, Sofie Blair produced four points with an ace behind 6-for-7 serving, while Alyssa Ripley added three blocks.

Blue Earth Area (0-1) plays host to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night.

Pipestone 3, Martin County West 1 — The Arrows opened the season by generating a 25-9, 25-16, 21-25, 25-21 non-league victory over the Mavericks during action Saturday in Windom.

Maia Taylor completed 9-for-9 serves to complement nine set assists, six kills and four digs for MCW, while Karlee Thiesse generated eight kills and connected on 7 of 8 serves.

Hallie Olson produced six kills for the Mavericks, while Renae Eckmann notched five spike-winners to go with 9-for-9 serving.

Mercedes Moeller doled out eight set assists and went 8-for-8 at the service line for MCW, while Emma Behrends went 12 of 15 serving with two aces.

Cheyenne Owens dished out six set assists, made two blocks and went 4 of 5 at the service area for the Mavericks, Madison Klima generated a team-best 11 digs, while Hope Bicknase went 6 of 7 serving.

Martin County West (0-1) travels to Fairmont on Tuesday night.