Looking for their first Big Nine volleyball victory of the season, the Albert Lea Tigers started strong and took a 16-14 lead on the Winona Winhawks in the opening game.

The Winhawks swung the momentum with eight consecutive points.

The Tigers never could recover.

The visiting Winhawks went on to win 25-20 and then swept the Tigers 3-0 at ALHS Thursday night, taking the final two games 25-6, 25-16.

&uot;We had a lot of unforced errors and we were outhustled by the other team,&uot; said first-year Albert Lea head coach Preston Peper.

The Tigers were 36-for-42 serving for the match, with two aces.

Individual leaders: Stacy Schlobohm 8-for-8 serving, four kills, four digs; Kat Ladwig 6-for-6 serving, five digs, six blocks; Elise Austad 13 set assists, 8-for-10 serving; Brooke Woitas eight kills.

The loss dropped the Albert Lea girls to 0-2 in the Big Nine and 1-9 overall.

It won’t get any easier Saturday at the Jackson County Central Invitational as the Tigers face the host team, rated No. 3 in the state in Class AA, in the opening round.

&uot;It’s going to be a tough tournament,&uot; said Peper.

The Tigers return to Big Nine play next Thursday at Rochester Century.