FARIBAULT — The Packer volleyball team had its season come to an end after falling to Faribault in three games in Nomeland Gym Wednesday in the first round of the Section 1AAA tournament.

The sixth-seeded Falcons (15-7 overall) put 11th-seeded Austin (3-16 overall) away by scores of 25-7, 25-12, 25-12.

The Falcons’ front line of Michaela Smith and Maggie Stoeckel was too much for the Packer defense to handle. Faribault has won eight of its last nine matches.

“I think Faribault has improved dramatically,” Austin head coach Darica Schneider said. “They really seem to be gelling together as a team and there’s a lot communication and a lot of quickness on their side.”

The Falcons came out attacking in the middle of Austin’s back row and it became so consistent, the Packers had to make an adjustment.

“We were not reacting well to their attacks and we couldn’t seem to get our defense going,” Schneider said. “Halfway through we switched from our traditional defense to a perimeter defense to fill the holes in the back of the court.”

Faribault pulled away early in all three games. The longest Austin hung around is when they pulled to within 8-6 in the second game. Faribault’s Caitlin Bonde responded by serving five straight points, including one ace.

The Packers were a little out of sync as senior hitters Emily Weiss and Julia Wagner had just come back from illnesses. Weiss had missed the previous six days and Wagner had been out the last two.

“That’s certainly an issue when they’re two starters and one of whom plays all over the court,” Schneider said. “It’s definitely a big factor in our game.”

Bri Mayer led the Packers with five kills and one solo ace block on a night were nine Packer seniors saw their high school volleyball careers come to an end.

“It’s always hard because sometimes you play more with feelings then fundamentals and that can be a detriment to your team,” Schneider said. “But when you have so many girls leaving, that happens.”

Schneider said her squad came in wanting to control the things that were in their power. She was pleased that they were 31-for-32 on serves.

“We came in with realistic expectations and we wanted to control the things we could control,” she said. “We could’ve done a little better on communication and not let some balls drop.”

Ashley Follmuth had 16 serve receives for Austin, Jenny Soiney had 13 serve receives and four digs, and Jenna Svoboda had five assists.

Svoboda, a freshman, will return to Austin next season, along with Soiney, Follmuth, and Meredith Molhusen.

“I think the prospects for Austin volleyball are still pretty good,” Schneider said. “We had a heavy senior class this year that didn’t have a lot of experience because we had such a talented class last year and that happens every few years. Look for Austin to come back, we’re not lying down.”

Faribault will play at No. 3 Owatonna Friday at 7 p.m.