After a gut-wrenching 3-2 quarterfinal loss to three-time defending NJCAA champion in quarterfinal action Thursday afternoon at the national tournament in Clarksville, Tenn., the sixth-seeded Cardinal volleyball team regrouped and went out the right way. 

Friday, the Cardinals outlasted seventh-seeded Salt Lake for a 3-2 win. In the fifth-place game Saturday, the Cardinals dominated eighth-seeded Odessa for a 3-0 win.

The Cardinals closed their first season with Paty Figueiredo as head coach with a 31-7 record, Region XIV Conference title, Region XIV title and having won 12 of their last 13 matches. It was their second top five finish at the national tournament in three seasons, having finished fourth in 2023. They now have a pair of fifth-placing showings, matching one in 2018.

Cardinal sophomore Bianca Salvador was named to the all-tournament team. Against Odessa, she had 17 points, 15 kills and seven digs.

Anastasiia Nedilko finished with 15 points and 13 kills.

Here are Saturday's results: 

9^th place game – Mineral Area 3, Eastern Arizona 2

7^th place game – Salt Lake 3, Snow 0

5^th place game – TVCC 3, Odessa 0

3^rd place game – Northeastern 3, Weatherford 3

Championship – Miami Dade 3, Florida SouthWestern 0