Head coach Heidi Ulwelling made several lineup changes and, despite signs of improvement, Coon Rapids was unable to find the win column, dropping its fourth consecutive match, a 25-13, 25-17, 25-20 decision at Maple Grove.
Ashley Engen was moved from middle to outside hitter and the Cardinals went to a three-middle lineup. In addition, sophomore Chloe Jacobson was brought up from the junior varsity squad and saw action in the second and third sets as the team's libero.
The Crimson got off to an inauspicious start, being called for a lineup violation on the first service of the match to fall behind 1-0, but they reeled off seven consecutive points and did not see their lead fall to fewer than five points the rest of the set, hitting .440 with 12 kills and just one error.
Coon Rapids took an early lead in the second set as back-to-back kills by Courtney Pasiowitz put the Cardinals ahead, 2-1, and they eventually jumped out to a 5-2 lead. A 7-1 run by the hosts, however, gave them a lead they would not relinquish, despite the visitors closing the gap to one point on two occassions.
Two separate runs set up the finish to the match as Coon Rapids used a 7-1 run to take a 10-8 lead in the third set, getting four points on Engen's serve while Olivia Jung had a pair of kills to spark the rally.
After the teams traded points, Maple Grove put together a six-point run and never led by fewer than three points the rest of the match.
With the move to the outside, Engen had 10 kills in 32 attack attempts, her highest totals since recording 15 kills in 35 attempts in the season opener. It was also her first double-double of the season as she recorded 10 digs to go with her 10 kills. Jung chipped into the offensive attack with a season-high nine kills.
"I think it's workable," Ulwelling said of the changes she made. "The middle back piece worked well with Chloe and I like the consistency in hitting that Ashley gives us on the outside."
Jacobson had five digs and a set assist in her varsity debut.
Coon Rapids returns to action Monday, Sept. 27, with a non-conference match against Cambridge-Isanti. It will be Youth Night at the CRHS Fieldhouse with all junior high and elementary school volleyball players wearing their team jersey being admitted to the match free of charge.
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