Austin ended an eight-match losing streak by stopping Albert Lea in a five-game Big Nine Conference match Tuesday night at AHS, 13-15, 15-10, 11-15, 15-3, 15-11.

The Packers postponed the return of Theresa Hirsch for next Tuesday's Big Nine and regular-season finale at home with John Marshall, and Austin got a strong game from her replacement. Laura Geffert, switched from setter to middle hitter in Hirsch's sted, tallied 15 kills and six blocks in the come-from-behind victory.

"She was fired up," AHS coach Lisa Grunewald said of Geffert. "She really stepped up her game.

"They came back pretty strong in that fourth game. It's homecoming week, so they really wanted to come out and prove something. They had their ups and downs the entire match, but in the end they got it done. It was just an attitude thing."

Austin went 0-5 at the Blue Earth Invite over the weekend, and three preceeding losses without Hirsch in the lineup knocked the Packers back to 9-16 overall. Austin got it going again with a win Tuesday at home with one left to play. Section volleyball starts Oct. 23 for the Pack.

"We had a rocky end of the season, but the girls went out there and proved what they wanted to prove," Grunewald said.

Lauren Royce -- one of nine seniors -- scored 11 kills for the Packers. Natalie Miller had 19 assists and five ace serves, while Kelli Geffert added 13 assists.

L/P christens GM gym

Lyle/Pacelli posted the first win in Grand Meadow's new dome facility, sweeping a three-game Southeast Conference match from the Superlarks, 15-13, 15-7, 15-13.

Kelli Petzel and Nickole Stier led Grand Meadow with five kills apiece. Cassie Denisen had 11 assists and Sarah Holm handed out 10.

"It was a good match for us," said GM coach Dawn Baudoin. "We really struggled serving in the first game and I think that was the difference as we lost 15-13. We had several serves into the net."

Grand Meadow made seven service errors in the opening game of the eventual loss in their new gymnasium.

"It was our first game in the new school, we had a packed crowd, so it was exciting for the kids," Baudoin said.

L/P (17-4, 9-3) stays on the road with a trip to Lanesboro on Thursday. Grand Meadow (5-15, 3-9) plays at Spring Grove.

Glenville-Emmons swept LeRoy-Ostrander in other SEC action, 15-5, 15-10, 15-6.

Around the county

Southland was knocked down by Goodhue Tuesday night in Adams, 15-7, 15-4, 14-16, 15-8, in Three Rivers Conference play.

Megan Schroeder led Southland with with eight assists and 14-for-14 serving. She added four kills to the cause. Allison Chapek led with seven kills, five assists and three service aces. Bridget Felten tallied 11 digs, three blocks, three kills and two aces.

Southland finishes the regular season at home Tuesday against St. Charles.

Blooming Prairie was defeated in four by visiting Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 15-3, 15-3, 8-15, 12-15, in Gopher Conference action.

Jill Prihoda had six blocks at the net for the Blossoms, and Chelsie Symes handed out 21 assists. Angela Noble tallied four blocks, eight kills and 10 service points. Kristen Lueth added seven kills and 10 points.

Hayfield was handed a four-game loss by sixth-rated Stewartville, 15-2, 16-18, 15-1, 15-6, Tuesday night in Hayfield. The Vikings (5-15, 2-7) play at Kasson-Mantorville on Thursday night in Hiawatha Valley League play.