WELLS &045; It was an impressive comeback by the Albert Lea High School volleyball team.

But it fell just short.

Trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five-game match, the Tigers stretched United South Central to five games before dropping a tough 3-2 decision at Wells Tuesday night.

&uot;This was a rough one for us,&uot; said ALHS coach Gina Eppen. &uot;We had them on the ropes. We just couldn’t close the deal tonight.&uot;

Passing problems in games one and two, according to Eppen, allowed the Rebels to win 25-17 and 25-15.

The Tigers battled back to take game three 25-23 and win game four 25-15. USC won the deciding game 15-13.

The Tigers’ statistical leaders: Danielle Rankin, 10 kills, two assists, 17 digs, one block; Emily Bartusek, three kills, two aces, 15 digs, one block; Amber Edwards, four kills, five aces, nine digs, four blocks; Jenna Brackey, two kills, one ace, 16 assists, 31 digs; Katie Brackey, three kills, 12 assists, 21 digs, one block; and Laura Jackson, three kills, one ace, 12 digs, five blocks.

USC’s leaders: April Banashak, 15-for-16 serving, five aces, 23-for-28 attacks, 12 kills; Sara Passer, 15-for-16 serving, 36-for-37 setting, 15 assists; Maggie Giese, 13-for-13 serving, 36-for-42 attacks, 13 kills; Shanna Schrader, 17-for-21 attacks, nine kills; and Paige Porter, 36-for-41 setting, 13 assists.

The Rebels, 1-2, play Thursday at Blue Earth Area.

The Tigers, also 1-2, are at Mankato West for a Big Nine match Thursday.

&uot;This close match is going to burn for a little bit, and I hope we come out fired up Thursday,&uot; said Eppen. &uot;I’m real proud of the girls. To come back from 0-2 and get to 13-13 in game 5, that’s gutsy. This team plays hard. One of these days we’re going to get the break.&uot;