It’s been a work in progress this season for the Alden-Conger volleyball team as it ushered in a new cast of players.

The results haven’t come easily and Thursday night against Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial, the Knights (3-8) were handed a 3-0 setback in Alden.

The Knights stormed out to a 10-3 lead in the first set, but small errors compounded and before long LCWM (4-10, 2-3 Valley) had taken the lead.

“That first game we’re up and we play really hard, then I don’t know we just lose it,” said Alden-Conger head coach Melissa Wasmoen.

The Knights rallied to tie the set at 18, but a block from Karina Schroeder gave LCWM a 19-18 advantage and it never looked back for a 25-20 victory.

In the second set Alden-Conger had a slime, two-point lead very early on, but after tying the game at 6-6 LCWM hit the boosters and cruised to a 25-16 victory.

The Knights were certainly more competitive in the final set and tied the game at 18 late, but a missed serve gave LCWM a 19-18 lead and it went on to a 6-3 run to close out the match.

The serving was troublesome for Alden-Conger and several serves fell into the net.

“They physically tried their best to do what they can,” Wasmoen said. “Even though we’d really like to win, our goal is to improve and our goal is to get the sideout.

The hitting left something to be desired for the Knights as LCWM was able to make an acrobatic plays to stymie Alden-Conger hitters.

Kortney Barker had 26 digs, Paula Thomspon 13 and Lexi Reid 12.

Katie Hallman was the top hitter for the Knights with eight kills and Kenzie Martin followed with five. Ariel Keller had 15 assists and Martin added five.

Schroeder had six hills and Darian Peterson chipped in five kills and Caulina Pape four. Paula Thompson led LCWM with 17 assists and six acees

Alden-Conger travels to LeRoy-Ostrander Saturday for a tournament.