ADAMS – Coach Gina Eppen noticed something was different during warmups.

Wednesday, August 29, 2001

ADAMS – Coach Gina Eppen noticed something was different during warmups.

The Albert Lea Tigers were obviously more intense and more focused than the previous night, when they struggled while losing their season volleyball opener 3-0 to Byron.

It was exactly the opposite Tuesday. The Tigers rolled to a 3-0 victory over Southland at Adams, winning 15-3, 15-9, 15-8.

&uot;Monday night, I could tell in the warmups, we were not intense,&uot; said Eppen. &uot;Tonight, we started sharp in warmups and just kept it going. That was a priority for us. The girls felt they didn’t put on a good show (Monday) night.&uot;

Another change from Monday was in emotion. The Tigers played with a lot more of it at Southland, where Eppen coached last year.

&uot;We got some hands in the air, smiles on faces,&uot; said Eppen. &uot;It looked a lot better. The kids were all fired up.&uot;

Whitney Sorensen, a freshman, led the Tigers with six kills and five blocks. Aubree Page had six kills, four blocks and four ace serves, Jenny Vanderploeg four kills, four digs and four aces.

Ashley Rankin had a team-high nine set assists. Beth Kolling had eight assists and four kills. Amie Hartman contributed four digs, including three in a row at one point.

The Tigers were 70-for-76 serving with 10 aces, eight more than Monday.

&uot;Everyone got to play in the match, so that was nice,&uot; said Eppen.

The Tigers travel to Wells to meet United South Central Tuesday.