Kendal Harpestad, shown here spiking the ball against Alden-Conger, has been a force at the net for the USC Rebels all season.

After winning the first game of the match, the United South Central volleyball team ended up losing to the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 5.

The final scores of the match were 23-25, 25-10, 25-15, 25-11.

“Tough way to finish after starting so hot,” USC coach Joe Kuechenmeister said. “We played sound, clean volleyball in the first set to be able to steal one from BA for the first time in a lot of years. Our kids were playing great defense and taking great swings, and it was really keeping the Cardinals on their heels. We served really well also.”

Leading the way for the Rebels was Kendal Harpestad with 12 kills and 13 digs. Madison Passer added 11 kills, 17 digs and one block.

Unfortunately, the momentum of the first game did not carry over onto the next games.

“Our level dropped in sets two, three, and four and BA was in system far more often than we were,” Kuechenmeister said. “They were the aggressor defensively and offensively for the remainder of the match and weren’t able to do anything to shake their rhythm.”

Other stats from the match included Kiera Schultz having six kills, 11 digs and two blocks, Jaelyn Stangler with one kill and one block and McKenzie Roberts with a kill and a dig.

In addition, Eleny Korn had 27 assists and eight digs, while Chloe Lutteke had seven digs, Karly Koehler six digs, Maddie Dallman three digs and Hannah Warmka one dig.

“Fun to see us compete so well early on, but again we lose momentum and can’t find our mojo for the rest of the match,” the coach said. “Madison Passer has played her best volleyball of the year in her last two outings. Passing great and finding ways to score off the swing, it’s really been a privilege to see her game continue to improve.

USC is now 5-15 overall (0-8 Gopher Conference). The Rebels’ next match was set for Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Blooming Prairie.

Medford 3, USC 1

The United South Central volleyball team jumped out with lead of 1-0 in their match against the Medford Tigers, but unfortunately the Tigers came back and won the next three games and the match, held on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Scores of the match were 22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-15.

Leading the way for the Rebels was Kiera Schultz with 14 kills, nine digs, one block and two aces. Right behind her was Kendal Harpestad with 13 kills, 26 digs and one ace. Madison Passer also had an excellent match with 10 kills, 20 digs, one block and one ace.

In addition, Liz Meyer and Chloe Lutteke each had one kill, with Meyer adding one dig and three blocks and Lutteke had seven digs.

Eleny Korn had a big night with 35 assists and 10 digs.

Karly Kohler and Macy Sonnek each had three digs.

USC is now 5-14 overall and 0-7 in the Gopher Conference.