ROCHESTER - The Austin High girls volleyball team lost the third game of a four-game match against John Marshall High School here Thursday night, yet Packer coach Treasure Ransom sported a smile after JM hitter Erin Effle spiked down the final point in Austin’s 15-11 loss.

Friday, October 13, 2000

ROCHESTER - The Austin High girls volleyball team lost the third game of a four-game match against John Marshall High School here Thursday night, yet Packer coach Treasure Ransom sported a smile after JM hitter Erin Effle spiked down the final point in Austin’s 15-11 loss.

"That’s the first time all year I’ve smiled after a loss," Ransom said. "That (third game) was one of the best games we’ve played all year."

She was smiling because the Packers played arguably their best match of the season in a 15-10, 15-9, 11-15, 15-10 Big Nine Conference win over the JM Rockets.

After JM built a 14-8 lead in the third game, the Packers used six of Theresa Hirsch’s team-high 16 kills and a handful of JM hitting errors to gain 10 sideouts before the Rockets finally put the game away on Effle’s kill.

"I told the girls ‘we could’ve given up so easily, but we didn’t and that momentum will carry over and we’re going to win it right now (in game four)’", Ransom said.

That’s exactly what the Packers did, building a 10-4 lead before going on to win game four 15-10 and the match 3-1.

The Packers’ Stacy Fisher had another solid game serving. The senior was a perfect 23-for-23 after going 16-for-16 in Austin’s sweep of Albert Lea Tuesday at the Packer gym. In addition to her 16 kills, Hirsch was 12-for-12 serving and added eight digs.

Junior setters Ellie Ramseth and Jenna Hoefflin combined for 38 set assists, including 25 by Ramseth. Senior Andrea Lindgren led the Packers with 10 ace digs, in addition to her six kills.

The Packers as a team finished the night with 13 ace blocks, which Ransom said was likely a season-high for the team.

"Our block was as consistent as it has been all year," Ransom said. "We knew we had to be at the top of our game tonight and we were."

Austin (3-5 Big Nine, 10-12-2 overall) travels to Rochester Mayo on Tuesday for its final regular season match. A win at Mayo would likely lock up a home first round playoff match for the Packers.