A season that began with so much promise was one game away from ending in frustration.

After losing the first two games of their state qualifier against Jamestown at last weekend's West Region tournament, the St. Mary's volleyball team was facing elimination, another season without a state tournament appearance.

But even when things appeared bleakest, the Saints didn't lose faith in themselves.

"We didn't let it get into our heads," senior setter Ellen Mueller said. "We definitely started complimenting each other, making sure that everyone was staying (positive) on themselves so they wouldn't bring the team down."

And the Saints fought back, rallying for a 19-25, 16-25, 27-25, 25-17, 16-14 victory, earning their first state tournament berth since 1998.

"We just kind of told them in that third game that we have to remember what we've been working for all season long," St. Mary's coach Kari Leier said. "It just kind of started clicking. They got a few blocks. They got their momentum back up, and they just kind of took it from there."

The Saints will take on East Region champion West Fargo in a quarterfinal matchup today at noon in the Minot State Dome.

"We've attained our first goal," Leier said. "Now we can't just go in there and take eighth place. The new goal is, we want to finish top four."

That would take a huge upset of the Packers. West Fargo (32-3) has won 22 straight matches and have lost just one match to a North Dakota team, falling to Century early in the season.

But no matter how the Saints fare, this has already been a season to remember. At 14-18, the Saints have already won more matches than in any season since 2001-02. St. Mary's had endured back-to-back four win seasons in 2005 and 2006 and had just one West Region tournament victory - in the losers' bracket - 1998.

The Saints were picked to finish eighth in the West in the preseason coaches' poll, but they knew they were capable of more.

"We knew we had eight seniors, so it's a big year for everyone," Mueller said. "We've been playing together since seventh or eighth grade, so we were ready to show them."

The Saints were doing just that, getting off to a 10-6 start, including a 7-2 regional record. But when senior middle blocker Laura Maddock tore ligaments in her ankle at the Fargo Invitational, the wheels came off. Without Maddock, the only matches the Saints won the rest of the regular season came against last-place Turtle Mountain.

"The most frustrating thing about it was I knew they were a lot better than what they were playing like," Maddock said.

It was not a given that Maddock would return in time for the regional tournament. She didn't get off crutches until four days before the start of the tournamet and received medical attention the day before.

Despite missing four weeks, Maddock led the Saints in blocks and was top three in kills. But she also contributed in less tangible ways.

"Laura Maddock has been our key," Leier said. "To me she's kind of the glue that holds our team together a little bit. … She doesn't get excited. She keeps everybody kind of fine-tuned. The girls work well with her."

Mueller agreed.

"She definitely holds us together," Mueller said. "It's good to know that she's in the middle. It's good to know that she's right there beside you."

With Maddock back, the Saints are eager to see what more they can accomplish.

"Making it to state is obviously awesome for us," Maddock said. "Hopefully we can keep up with the really good teams."