ALBERT LEA — If the Rebels proved anything in their volleyball opener at Albert Lea, it’s that they are a resilient bunch.

But they still have a lot to learn after falling to the Tigers by scores of 25-16, 21-25, 25-23, 25-23 Monday.

Southland was about to take a 24-22 lead in the third game when it was called for a line violation that set up an Albert Lea comeback and the Rebels missed a serve when they could’ve taken a 24-23 lead in the fourth game

“At the end we finally came together and proved a point, but we’re still not ready,” Southland head coach Angie Smith said. “They don’t know who’s doing what and who should be where. It’s like there are six individuals out there instead of one team.”

The Tigers put away game three when Emily Stoneking came up with a block kill to make it 24-23 and she hammered home a point to finish that game. Albert Lea (1-0 overall) won the match in game four when its front line blocked a spike attempt by Jana Schammel.

Southland had trailed 7-0 to open the last game, but down 23-16, Southland scored seven straight points behind the serving of Brandi Schammel.

“We came back and we had them scared. They were nervous and I’m proud of what we did,” Smith said. “(Albert Lea’s) passing was well and they covered well. We had to work and work to get back into it and they didn’t let much fall.”

Southland (0-1 overall) trailed throughout the first game as it lost by a lop-sided score, but it got two straight ace serves from Brooke Maiers to close out the win in the second game.

Southland stats: Jana Schammel, 4 ace blocks, 13 digs, 4 ace serves, 2 kills; Brandi Schammel, 2 ace blocks, 6 digs, 2 ace serves, 4 kills; Kellie Shawback, 4 ace blocks; Lindsey Bottema, 13 set assists; Brooke Maiers, 2 ace serves, 11 set assists