Mankato, MN - The Parkside Rangers began the 2024 season in the Maverick Invite on Thursday. After dropping the first set to Truman State, Parkside stormed back and took the following three sets, en route to their first victory of the season.

Quote from Coach Barea:
 "Always good to grind out a win, especially that first one of the year. I'm really proud of our defensive effort and intensity. Both teams were battling point after point the entire match. We learned a lot about ourselves and will have to make some immediate adjustments as we go into two tough matches tomorrow."

Inside the box score:

• Ava Irvin led the game with 18 kills and collected 10 digs to complete the double-double. It was Irvin's first double-double since 11/4/22.
• Natalie Harris and Elizabeth Truckenbrod combined for 37 digs.
• Karlee Lois secured her first double-double of the season (27th of her career) with 36 assists and 15 digs.
• Parkside totaled 13 service aces, the most in a single game since 10/25/22; Truckenbrod and Lois notched four each.

How it happened: 
After dropping the first set of the season, the Rangers shook off the rust in the second set. Early kills from Mariena Coon and Elizabeth Truckenbrod got the Rangers going. After a close beginning, the Rangers took the set by storm. Ava Irvin, who had just three kills in the first set, began to find her stroke, tallying seven kills in the second set. The set finished as it began, with a Mariena Coon emphatic kill. In the blink of an eye, the Rangers knotted the match at one set apiece.

Parkside put their foot on the gas in the critical third set. As a team, the Rangers swung a game-best .321. Additionally, the team's excellent service played a large role in the story. They collected five of their 13 service aces in the third set. Karlee Lois collected two aces during a five-point run that the Rangers went on early in the set. The Rangers scored 12 of the last 13 points of the set and left no doubts on the table.

The fourth and final set was nothing short of a heart-pounder. Throughout the entirety of the set, neither team took a lead larger than two points. As the set progressed, Parkside trailed 24-22 with their backs against the wall. On a Truman State attack that was initially ruled in and ended the set, replay revealed that the ball had landed out of bounds, which gave the point to Parkside and extended the fourth set. Subsequently, Irvin drilled home her 18th kill, bringing Parkside within a point. The theme of the game was attack errors for Truman, and another one tied the set at 24. Consecutive kills from Sam Fisch sealed the deal, and the Rangers took a dramatic fourth set 27-25.

Next: 
The Rangers return to action in the Maverick Invite tomorrow with two contests on the slate. They will first take on Upper Iowa at 10:00 AM, and then Mankato at 6:00 PM. For coverage of the events, visit ParksideRangers.com/coverage.