FAIRMONT — The Mavericks stormed through the first two sets, but the comeback-minded Cardinals wouldn’t leave without a fight.

Martin County West beat Fairmont, 25-14, 25-9, 24-26, 25-21, in a nonconference volleyball match Thursday night on Cardinal court in Fairmont.

MCW eased its way to a first-set victory, then cruised to a second-set win, but with the Cardinals coming close to their final opportunity, the momentum shifted.

The teams swung back-and-forth with short runs before the Mavericks extended for a 21-14 lead. Kylee Harder, however, began setting up her teammates for a Cardinals’ comeback.

Sophie Johnson served the Cardinals to within 21-20 after an ace, and two Natalie Tonne kills off set assists from Harder and Sabrina Segar, respectively.

MCW looked to take the momentum back after a Shaylynn Anderson ace gave them a 24-20 advantage, but a long serve gave the Cardinals a chance.

After a Cambrie Anderson ace, Cassidy Schultz and Segar combined for a block before Harder assisted Tonne twice and Schultz once to take a 26-24 win and force the match into a fourth set.

Fairmont head coach Kim Breamer said the Cardinals fought hard and made some changes in the final two sets.

“We did not come out ready to play the first two (sets), but we played hard and we fought back in the third set and won,” Breamer said. “Fourth set, we played hard, there were just some mental mistakes at the end that just couldn’t get us through.

“We did a little switching around of a few players (in the third set). We wanted to try something different to see what will work for us.”

The Cardinals looked to hold the momentum, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in Set 4, and building as far as 18-11, but the Mavericks began a comeback of their own.

Logan Kosbab served the Mavericks to within 18-15, then Jenna Clow brought them back to a tie at 19 after an ace and a Shaylynn Anderson-assisted kill by Sami Meyer.

The teams swapped points as the Mavericks held a 22-21 lead before the Cardinals hit one spike in the net and two spikes out to end the set in the Mavericks’ favor.

MCW head coach Hilary Elliott said she’s been waiting to see the Mavericks play as well as they did early.

“I thought Games 1 and 2, that’s the team I’ve been waiting to see all season long,” Elliott said. “Games 3 and 4, we got a little down serving. … They did a good job of fighting back in that last game. I’m glad they came out with the win and showed some heart.”

Segar led the Cardinals with 11 set assists, complementing seven digs, while Schultz, Bryn Miller and Tonne combined for the team lead with five kills each.

Cambrie Anderson led the Cardinal defense with 21 digs, Madysen Allen contributed 12 digs and Jen Moeller dug out 11 spikes.

Cambrie Anderson also added a team-leading four ace serves for Fairmont.

Shaylynn Anderson led the Mavericks with her match-leading 15 set assists, while teammates Sami Meyer and Olivia Anderson each had a co-game-leading six kills.

Emily Dunlop and Gabby Lange combined to control the front line for the Mavericks’ defense with six blocks each.

Martin County West (5-12) goes on the road to face Alden-Conger at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Fairmont (3-11) plays in the Tri-City United Invitational at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Fairmont defeated Martin County West in C-squad action, 25-17, 25-22, Thursday night in Fairmont.

Hadley Artz drilled three kills and went 7 of 8 serving for the Cardinals, Makayla Javers delivered three kills and Anna Ehlert distributed four set assists to complement 9-for-10 serving.

St. Peter 3, Blue Earth Area 0 — The Saints swept the Bucs, 25-16, 25-10, 25-16, during Big South action Thursday night in Blue Earth.

Brita Hougen collected four kills, six digs and three points on 7-for-8 serving for BEA, while Alicia Machacek also pounded four kills.

Eloise Blair made 22 digs and scored three points on 8-for-9 serving for the Bucs, Liz Beeler doled out 11 set assists and made eight digs, while Maci Frommie tallied five points behind a 9-for-9 serving effort.

Blue Earth Area (0-15, 0-7 BSC) travels to Fairmont next Thursday night.

Nicollet 3, Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman 0 — The Raiders swept the Jaguars, 25-18, 25-21, 28-26, during a Valley Conference volleyball matchup Thursday night in Nicollet.

Lydia Steinhaus led the Jaguars by dishing out 20 set assists and making 16 digs to complement her five kills.

Lizzie Oothoudt and Michaelah Petrowiak each had a co-team leading six kills for the Jaguars, with Petrowiak adding five blocks.

The Jaguars (6-10, 4-2 Valley) play host to St. Clair at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday night in Northrop.