Powerful strikes and few mistakes lead Albert Lea to first home win
Published 9:21 pm Tuesday, September 28, 2021
- The Albert Lea Tigers celebrate after a big point in the match Tuesday against Austin. The Tigers beat the Packers in straight sets, 25-15, 25-18, 25-13. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune
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With six matches remaining in the regular season, the Albert Lea volleyball team hosted Austin Tuesday night in an Interstate 90 rivalry.
The Tigers played nearly mistake-free volleyball and used a lot of powerful kills at the net to ultimately defeat the Packers in straight sets, 3-0.
Albert Lea dominated in the first set, jumping out to a quick lead and never surrendering it through the rest of play.

Senior Kaylee Evans serves up the ball to start the first set Tuesday night against Austin. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune
The hard hitting of seniors Jordan Juveland and Annika Veldman, and juniors Ava Jensen and Lilyana Lee, gave the Tigers a huge advantage throughout the entire match. The Tigers went on to win the first set 25-15.
Despite getting out to a 5-0 deficit in the second set, Albert Lea bounced back in a big way, using an 8-1 run to take a 8-6 lead. The play of junior Madelynn Balfe and freshman Nevaeh Wacholz, finding open teammates with perfectly placed sets, was pivotal in the comeback. The Tigers won the second set 25-18.
Albert Lea went on to win the third set by the widest margin of the night, claiming their first home win of the season 25-13.
The Tigers are now 6-8 and will be back on the court Tuesday hosting Northfield.