After an 0-2 start to the season, the Lyle/Pacelli volleyball team has recovered to the tune of a 13-3 overall record after Thursday's 3-0 sweep of the host Houston Hurricans.

L/P recovered from the lag of a long journey with a slow-starting victory, 15-10, 15-5, 15-1. Lyle/Pacelli has only lost once since the return of Louise Mudra, who led the team with nine kills Thursday night.

Lindsey Halbach added seven kills as L/P moved to 5-2 through the first half of the Southeast Conference season. The eight teams in the SEC will all meet again during the regular season. Mabel-Canton is 7-0 to lead the way, while Spring Grove is 6-1. L/P presently stands in third.

"We're heading into the second stretch of our schedule and we'll be picking up some tougher games again, so we're going to have to continue to work hard," said Lyle/Pacelli co-coach Norm Blaser. "Our setting and our hitting tonight was pretty good. We need to work on our passing and our serving to improve much more."

L/P missed seven serves in the second game but still managed to control the game and the match. Rebecca Mino, in addition to 17 set assists, was 20-for-20 serving with 13 points and one ace.

Kristina Hollerud added five kills, 14-14 serving, and three aces. Angela Kuttner contributed four kills and four ace serves.

"In the third game we seemed to get on track and our passing picked up," said co-coach Carl Ellis. "The last game we finally made it show."

Lyle/Pacelli travels to LeRoy-Ostrander next Tuesday before hosting Spring Grove on Thursday.

Cards collapse

Spring Grove overcame an upstart LeRoy-Ostrander squad to take a 3-1 SEC win in Spring Grove Thursday night. The Cardinals jumped out to a 15-7 win in the opening game, but the host Lions battled back to win 15-7, 15-7, 15-7.

Conference leader Mabel-Canton handed down a three-game defeat to guest Grand Meadow, 15-7, 15-0, 15-2. The Superlarks are 2-10 overall and 1-6 through the first half of the SEC schedule.

Vikings get swept

Byron defeated Hayfield in three games in Hiawatha Valley League action Thursday night in Hayfield, 15-8, 15-5, 15-5.

Hayfield was led by Alyssa Nelson's seven kills. Kristen Kaczmarek chipped in five kills and two blocks.

Both Lauren Burmeister and Tara Kramer served the Vikings (2-9, 0-4) to seven points.

Hayfield visits Lake City next Tuesday and hosts Triton on Thursday.

Rebels dunked by D-E

The Southland volleyball team remained winless with Thursday's 3-0 defeat at home against Dover-Eyota. The Eagles rallied up a 15-7, 15-13, 15-7 victory behind Theresa Meiners' 10 kills, eight digs, 15-15 serving and five aces.

Jenny Boe led the Lady Rebels with two kills, while Amanda Landherr and Nikki Kirkpatrick had one kill each.

Allison Chapek had two service aces, two digs, one block and three assists.

Southland hosts Fillmore Central and Elgin-Millville next week in Three Rivers Conference play.