WASECA — Blue Earth Area extended its volleyball match to a fifth game Monday night, but the hometown Bluejays squeezed out a 15-13 win to garner a 3-2 Big South Conference win in Waseca.

Waseca claimed the opener 25-23 before Blue Earth Area rallied for a 26-24 win in Game 2. The Bluejays pocketed Game 3 by a 25-22 decision before the Bucs answered the challenge in Game 4 via a 25-16 victory.

Alicia Machacek smacked 10 kills to pace a balanced BEA offense, with Kylee Eckmann and Hailey Becker drilling nine and eight spike-winners, respectively. Taylor Klabunde and Katherine Armon chipped in five and four, respectively.

Haley Kalis distributed 16 set assists, made seven digs and served 10 points on a 17-for-18 performance for the Bucs, while Becker doled out 13 set assists, scooped up eight opposing spikes and tallied eight points — including two aces — on 14 of 17 serving.

Eloise Blair led the defense with 22 digs and served 11 points with three aces behind a 19-for-20 effort for BEA, while Klabunde reeled off 18 points with two aces on 24-for-27 serving. Klabunde also made 14 digs.

Armon contributed 10 points with two aces on 16 of 18 serving to the Bucs’ effort, while Eckmann added three blocks.

Blue Earth Area (7-13) plays host to Fairmont on Thursday night.

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Maple River Invitational

The Fairmont Cardinal volleyball team posted a 2-3 mark during Saturday’s Maple River Invitational in Mapleton.

The host Eagles outslugged the Cardinals, 27-25, 25-21, before Fairmont rallied for a marathon victory over Truman/Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain, 33-35, 25-17, 15-12.

Redwood Valley served a 25-16, 25-19 loss to Fairmont before Sibley East withstood the Cardinals’ strong showing, 28-26, 25-23.

Fairmont also received a forfeit from Austin on the event.

Brylee Miller pounded out 24 kills to top the Cardinals, while also making 37 digs and serving three aces behind a 17-for-22 performance at the line.

Jazlyn Geerdes drilled 22 kills and made four blocks for Fairmont, while teammate Grace Pendergast collected 14 kills, distributed 37 set assists, made 23 digs and chalked up nine aces on 34 of 36 serving.

Kynlie Anderson doled out 42 set assists, made 15 digs and went 27 of 28 serving for the Cardinals, while Olivia Ortega notched 11 kills and 29 digs to complement 19-for-20 serving.

Chantel Moeller went 26 of 29 serving and added 17 digs, Anna Ehlert made 19 digs and connected on 18 of 20 serves for three aces, while Corene Moeller chipped in six kills and 10 digs.

Fairmont plays host to St. James tonight.