AUSTIN -- When the Minnesota West volleyball team had its moments at the net, host Riverland was put on its heels Wednesday night.
But the moments were uneven. Riverland defeated the Lady Jays in four games, 25-23, 25-15, 23-25 and 25-19.
“We came out a little bit slow in our first and second sets. We really didn’t get a lot of excitement and momentum in them,” said West head coach Marie Johnson.
Things improved after that, however.
“In set three, we were down and were able to come back,” Johnson said.
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Indeed, Minnesota West trailed by as many as seven points in the third game. The Blue Devils lost despite being on the cusp of victory with a 23-21 advantage.
Nicole Rowe and Katherin Ihnen both had eight kills to lead the Lady Jays Wednesday night. Rowe also had four blocks and Ihnen two.
Brooklyn Barnett had 17 set assists and Erin Swenson 14 digs. Ihnen had 10 digs and two ace serves.
Johnson said the Jays exhibited some outstanding front row play for part of the match, getting great touches and blocks on the ball -- and flustering the Devils.
Rowe, a 5-7 freshman from Harris-Lake Park, “touched almost every ball coming over the net,” according to her coach.
Minnesota West is now 1-2 in conference play and 1-6 overall.
