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The Dogs lost in three games at Melrose on Thursday night, playing the Dutchmen well in the first two sets (25-20 and 25-17 losses) before Melrose rolled in the third set (25-8). Melrose won 75 points compared to 45 for the Dogs.

Junior setter Chelsey HJansen led the Dogs in set assists again, totalling 56 ace assists for the week, including 28 against Albany.

A highlight for the Dogs was serving 100 percent (39/39). Six players - junior Kayla Lieser (11/11), senior Kristin Lang (9/9), sophomore Anna Kotten (6/6), junior Chelsey Hansen (5/5), senior Amanda Lieser (5/5), and junior Laura Schaefer (3/3) - were perfect in their serving attempts.

"Our serving percentage was great (100 percent)," said coach Dawn Knoll. "This was in a gym that traditionally we have had trouble serving. We got over a big mental hurdle in the serving department."

"This was the conclusion to a long week for the team. We have played hard but come up on the short end of the scoreboard," added Knoll. "It is going to be a matter of staying mentally tough through the next couple of weeks. We have played well enough to stay in the matches but need to find a way to become more aggressive. The team continues to improve and work hard."

This week, the Dogs (0-13) hosted Albany on Tuesday night. The Dogs will play at Sauk Centre on Thursday. Next week, they will travel to New London-Spicer on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Paynesville--	20	17	8
Melrose--	25	25	25

Individual Statistics
Hitting: Laura Schaefer 26/30 - 9A; Amanda Lieser 14/15; Chelsey Kalkbrenner 9/11 - 5A; Kristin Lang 13/17 - 3A; Anna Kotten 13/18 - 2A; Team 78/95 - 19A;
Serving: Kayla Lieser 11/11; Lang 9/9 - 2A; Kotten 6/6; Chelsey Hansen 5/5 - 1A; Amanda Lieser 5/5; Schaefer 3/3; Team 39/39 - 3A;
Blocks: Kalkbrenner 1; Kotten 1;
Assists: Hansen 84/86 - 16A; Amanda Lieser 3/3 - 2A; Kayla Lieser 5/5 - 1A; Team 95/97 - 19A;
Digs: Hansen 19; Schaefer 19; Kayla Lieser 18; Amanda Lieser 13; Team 98.

Cathedral 3, Paynesville 0
St. Cloud Cathedral - which has advanced to state four times in the past six years in volleyball - swept the Dogs at home in three sets on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The Crusaders won 75 points, compared to 48 for the Dogs, with the Dogs faring the best in the final game, losing 25-18.

"St. Cloud Cathedral is a strong team, and at this point in the season they are undefeated," said coach Dawn Knoll. "We had times when we played very well against them, but once again we are lacking a strong offense. We need to find the player that wants to attack the ball and put it to the floor consistently."

Senior Chelsey Kalkbrenner, noted Knoll, hit one ball harder than she has ever seen during this match, neither Kalkbrenner nor any of her teammates could consistently provide attacks.

"Our defense is keeping us in the match, but defense does not score many points in volleyball," added Knoll.

Cathedral--	25	25	25
Paynesville--	16	14	18

Individual Statistics
Hitting: Kristin Lang 16/21 - 5A; Laura Schaefer 15/22 - 8A; Anna Kotten 12/13 - 2A; Amanda Lieser 10/10 - 4A; Chelsey Kalkbrenner 10/19 - 4A; Team 66/88 - 23A;
Serving: Lang 15/16; Kayla Lieser 10/11 - 2A; Chelsey Hansen 8/8; Kotten 7/7; Team 49/53 - 2A;
Blocks: Kalkbrenner 1; Kotten 1; Lang 1;
Assists: Hansen 49/51 - 12A; Team 52/54 - 12A;
Digs: Kayla Lieser 18; Schaefer 17; Amanda Lieser 14; Team 65.

Albany 3, Paynesville 1
The Bulldogs won the second set against Albany on Monday, Sept. 25, but the Huskies rallied to win the final two sets and the match 3-1.

After losing the first set 25-14, the visiting Dogs won a close second set 25-23. But Albany won the third set 25-15 and the fourth set 25-18.

"As a team we played fairly well," said coach Dawn Knoll. "It is just hard to gain points when we don't consistently put the ball to the floor on the opponents' side of the net."

"Our defense is very strong, and we are digging the ball well, but now we need to become more aggressive and put the ball to the floor when we are on offense," added Knoll.

Junior Kayla Lieser (25 digs), junior Laura Schaefer (25 digs), and senior Amanda Lieser (20 digs) continue to lead the team in digging and keeping the ball in play for us, noted Knoll.

Paynesville--	14	25	15	18
Albany--	25	23	25	25

Individual Statistics
Hitting: Laura Schaefer 25/34 - 12A; Chelsey Kalkbrenner 18/21 - 5A; Anna Kotten 17/22 - 4A; Kristin Lang 14/21 - 7A; Amanda Lieser 13/16 - 6A; Team 88/115 - 34A;
Serving: Kayla Lieser 15/16 - 2A; Amanda Lieser 12/12; Lang 12/14 - 2A; Kotten 9/10 - 1A; Team 60/67 - 5A;
Blocks: Kalkbrenner 1; Kotten 1;
Assists: Chelsey Hansen 106/110 - 28A; Team 113/118 - 30A;
Digs: Kayla Lieser 25; Schaefer 25; Amanda Lieser 20; Kalkbrenner 10; Team 114.