ROCHESTER &045; It wasn’t the worst start of the season for the Albert Lea High School volleyball team.

But this time things didn’t get any better.

The Tigers, who have struggled in the early going in most of their matches this year, scored their most points of the night in the opening game while falling 3-0 in a Big Nine match at Rochester Mayo Thursday night. The Spartans won 15-8, 15-6, 15-4.

The Tigers were without the services of senior back-row specialist Jenny Hovendick, who sustained a mild concussion at Northfield Tuesday night, and coach Gina Eppen said she was missed as the Tigers had trouble with serve receive.

&uot;We could have used some digs out of (Hovendick) tonight,&uot; said Eppen. We’re still struggling with serve receive, something we’ve been working on all season and will continue to do so.&uot;

To make matters tougher, the Spartans were inspired because their sophomore setter reached a 1,000-career-set milestone in game two.

Whitney Sorenson had a very strong match for the Tigers, according to Eppen, registering six blocks, 11 digs, five ace serves and 10 kills.

Other individual statistics: Ashley Chrz four blocks, four digs, 10 set assists, three kills; Christina Berggren one block, six digs, two

kills; Amber Edwards one block, five digs, five kills; Danielle Rankin seven digs, one ace, three kills; Leah Boyer one ace, 12 assists, one kill.

As a team the Tigers served 96 percent, 51-for-53, but Eppen said they’re still searching for the right combination of players.

&uot;We’re struggling with chemistry, to find the six kids who click real solidly on the court,&uot; said Eppen.

The Tigers, 2-14, play Tuesday at Austin.