SAN ANTONIO, Texas - St. Edward's volleyball took down conference-rival St. Mary's in the first of two back-to-back Battle of the Saints matches, winning 3-0 Tuesday evening. 

It was a tight match to start as the teams traded points early on. The Rattlers took a three point lead on three straight aces to lead 15-12, but SEU battled back and after three straight kills from MAYA SMALLS, took the lead 18-16. St. Edward's closed out the set with three straight points to win 25-21. 

St. Mary's led by as many as seven in the second set, 17-10, before SEU came back to life. St. Edward's outscored the Rattlers 15-6 to win the second set 25-23. 

The Hilltoppers fell behind early in the third set again, but were able to regroup and tie the set 19-19. The SEU offense took over and closed out the set, getting back to back kills from ALEXA MCANDREW and MELISSA MCNEIL to seal the win. 

McNeil led with 16 kills while McAndrew and Smalls added nine each. MADISON HEALD posted a team-high 24 assists with McNeil adding 12 digs to lead SEU defensively. 

St. Edward's improves to 14-7 on the year and 9-4 in conference play. They return to action on Friday, hosting the return trip of the Battle of the Saints at 6 pm.