NORTHFIELD &045; Starting slowly has been a problem all season for the Albert Lea High School volleyball team.

It was again Tuesday night.

The Tigers struggled early and lost 3-0 in a nonconference match at Northfield, falling 15-2, 15-3, 15-13.

&uot;To our credit, we rallied in game three,&uot; said Tigers coach Gina Eppen. &uot;To Northfield’s credit, their coach said it was the best volleyball they played all year.&uot;

The Tigers had trouble with serve receive, giving up 15 points in the back row, and Northfield scored 16 points on net calls. The Tigers totaled 23 digs, including 14 in the third game.

&uot;Game three looked like it would be good for us, but it slipped away,&uot; said Eppen.

The Tigers served 87 percent, converting 27 of 31 attempts.

Individual leaders: Dara Cunningham two kills, 10 digs; Whitney Sorenson six kills, four digs, one set assist; Danielle Rankin one kill, 12 digs; Ashley Chrz seven assists, three digs; Leah Boyer three assists, two digs; Emily Thompson two kills, four digs.

&uot;Dara Cunningham was a real spark plug off the bench tonight,&uot;

said Eppen.

The Tigers return to Big Nine play Thursday at Rochester John Marshall.