The Albert Lea volleyball team encountered some of the area’s top competition Saturday at the Blue Earth Invitational and came away with a seventh place finish.

The Tigers (6-16) faced two Class A ranked teams and got a rematch with New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva.

Albert Lea went 1-3 on the day, coming up with a 25-19, 25-19 victory over Medford.

“We saw some good competition,” said Tigers head coach Jamie Mauseth. “It’s always good to play teams like that.”

Southwest Star Concept, ranked No. 10 in Class A, handed Albert Lea a 25-8, 25-13 loss in the opening match and No. 8-ranked Martin County West beat the Tigers 25-17, 25-14.

In a rematch with the Panthers, NRHEG came out on top again with a 25-16, 25-14 victory.

Albert Lea faces Mankato East Tuesday in Albert Lea and John Marshall Thursday in Rochester.