Monday night marked the season opener for both the Alden-Conger and Glenville-Emmons volleyball teams.

The Wolverines hoped to make an improvement on last season, while the Knights looked to avenge an early round loss in last year’s section playoffs.

Despite a few comeback rallies throughout the match, the Knights were able to hold strong and defeat the Wolverines in straight sets, 25-12, 25-10, 25-14.

After a few serving errors to open the first set, both teams settled into the match with Alden-Conger taking the first wave of momentum.

The Knights climbed out to a quick 7-1 lead, but a few big blocks from senior Kenna Gaines gave the Wolverines a jolt of energy as they got back to within one of the Knights. However, the offensive firepower of the Knights would prove to be too much, as they grabbed control of the set by finishing on  a 15-4 run.

The second set was all Alden-Conger from the start. The blocking capabilities of senior Autumn Soost and junior Mikenna Erickson, combined with the kills of sophomore Abbie Theusch, were too much for the Glenville-Emmons girls to handle.

The Knights also capitalized on a number of Wolverine mistakes in the second set to give them an even bigger advantage.

The third and final set played out much like the first set. The Knights jumped out to an early lead, but were soon caught by the Wolverines midway though the set. This time it was the Wolverines that capitalized  on the Knights mistakes, as they pulled within a couple points of the lead.

However, once again, Alden-Conger found their footing, cruising to the end of the set on a 9-0 run, much of that run due to senior Erika Bute, who seemed to be in on every point when it came down to the wire.

The Knights start on a high note, as they begin the season 1-0. They will be back in action Sep. 6, when they travel to Nicollet to take on the Raiders.

The Wolverines fall to 0-1 on the season and will play again  Tuesday when they face the Hurricanes of Houston.