Albert Lea volleyball team still looking for first win after Faribault loss

 

The Albert Lea volleyball team hosted Faribault Tuesday night, still searching for its first win of the season.

Despite taking one set from the Falcons and playing close in two others, the Tigers were unable to pull out a victory, falling 3-1.

The first set was the closest, with neither team ever getting out to a lead larger than three points. Albert Lea was the first team to reach five after starting out on the wrong end of a 0-3 run. Faribault climbed its way back into the game, however, as both teams tied at 10 points each. Albert Lea then went on another small run before being caught again by Faribault late in the set to tie the game at 20. Ultimately, Faribault pulled away to win the set 25-22.

The second set saw the Tigers create some nice plays early and jump out to a 10-4 lead. However, the Falcons weren’t ready to concede yet, clawing their way back into the set with an 11-5 rally, tying the set at 15. The Tigers used solid net plays from seniors Khira Hacker, Courtney Harmdierks and Kailey VanRiper to shoot out to a 25-21 set win.

Using the momentum from their second set, the Tigers came out to a energized start in the third to take another early advantage. However, once again, the Falcons played their way back into a competitive set, before finding a surge and winning the set 25-17.

Coming off a big run to end the third set, the Falcons used that momentum to cruise to a fourth set victory, 25-12.

Harmdierks led the team with 10 kills, followed by Hacker with six, and Van Riper, junior Lauren Miller and senior Kendra Olson each had four. Senior Mikaela Pannkuk totaled 14 assists, while sophomore Emilee Bauer recorded nine. Senior Kallie Holl and VanRiper combined for a total of 33 of the team’s 62 digs.

The Tigers fall to 0-4 on the season and will be back on the court Thursday when they host the Winhawks of Winona, who are currently 3-6.