BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Coming into Monday’s match against Austin, close games had not been kind to the Awesome Blossom volleyball team.

While still early in the season, Blooming Prairie had already dropped four games decided by tie-breakers, including a couple at the Hayfield tournament on Saturday.

But things would be different against the Packers, as BP closed out with a clutch 25-23 win in game three to sweep Austin after winning the first two games 25-13, 25-11.

“This is one we really wanted to win,” said BP junior hitter Jenna Krell, who had four kills. “Saturday was kind of frustrating because we were so close and we just couldn’t get that win. Today we came out really wanting to win and that really helped.”

BP (3-5 overall) scored the last three points of the deciding game as Janelle Morem hammered down a huge kill to tie it up at 23 and the Blossoms forced two sideouts for the clinching points.

Morem finished with 13 kills and she is starting to adjust to freshman setter Madison Worke, who is one of three freshman starting for BP.

Morem, a junior, said the youngsters are holding there own.

“They do a good job of carrying themselves,” she said. “We had a little problem (timing our hits) early in the season, but (Madison) learned how we hit and she’s really adjusted well. We can hit very good off her.”

The Packers (0-7 overall) led games two and three 6-1 early on but couldn’t hold on in either contest.

“We just couldn’t hold the lead. (Morem) was a real strong hitter and we had a real problem with her,” Austin head coach Barry Brobeck said. “The third game was a character builder. I know they’re down, but it’s a learning experience.”

BP came back in second game when freshman Nicole Inwards served three aces in an eight-point serving run.

Both BP rallies were ignited by missed serves by the Packers.

“Serving seems to be the bane of our existence,” Brobeck said. “We can’t afford to make mistakes.”

BP head coach Gina McLaughlin said her three freshman starters wanted to pick up a win after dropping a couple of matches over the weekend.

“They’ve won their whole careers up to this point and I think this weekend stung them a little,” said. “We were hungry for a win and I’m a little pleased the last game was close, because showed we can close out a tough game.”

BP stats: Nicole Inwards, 4 aces; Madison Worke, 24 assists, 2 kills, 2 aces; Taylor Hagen, 4 kills, 2 blocks; Janelle Morem, 13 kills, 1 block; Jenna Krell, 4 kills, 1 ace; Kayla Wobschall, 3 blocks

Austin stats: Jenna Svoboda, 12 assists, 3 kills, 1 ace; Haley Underwood, 6 kills, 2 aces; Taylor Lady, 6 kills, 2 ace blocks; Steph Justice, 2 ace blocks; Babaye Oja, 2 ace blocks