ADAMS —The Southland volleyball team was playing from behind for much of the night, but the Rebels showed they have a lot of fight in them, despite being swept by Randolph by scores of 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 in Adams Monday.

The Rebels (0-1 overall) trailed 20-7 in the first game before pulling within 23-20 and they trailed the second game 14-6, before battling back to within 21-19.

“We talked after the game about being able to play an entire game,” Southland head coach Michelle Nelsen said. “We can’t have these peaks and valleys where there’s a lull, we’re strong and then there’s a lull again. We need to be more strong with that.”

The Rebels held a brief 1-0 lead early in the second game, but other than that, they were playing from behind throughout the night. That didn’t slow down their energy level.

“I love the energy level. The bench never gives up, they’re always encouraging each other and there’s never a dull moment when it comes to their enthusiasm,” Nelsen said. “I think this is a good place for us to start. With their work ethic and the we work together as a team, I think it will all come together in the next few weeks.”

Kelsey Mensink and Lexi Smith each had four kills in the loss for Southland.

Southland stats: Lexi Smith, 4 kills, 2 digs, 1 block; Kylie Kiefer, 17 digs; Emily Bhend, 1 kill, 4 assists, 6 digs, 2 aces; Autumn Brown, 1 kill, 1 dig; Larissa Goslee, 8 assists, 6 digs; Grace Noterman, 7 digs; Kelsey Mensink, 4 kills, 1 block, 1 ace; Kayla Nelsen, 3 kills, 9 digs, 1 block