The Awesome Blossoms dropped their fifth tie-breaking game of the season when they lost a volleyball match to Southland by scores of 25-20, 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 16-14 in Blooming Prairie Tuesday.

Southland (5-7 overall) trailed 14-13 in the fifth game when BP’s Jenna Krell hit a shot down the line that was dug and returned. Southland won that volley and Kelli Smith served the last two points of the match.

“They were hard played games and it just came down to who kept the ball in play,” Southland head coach Angie Smith said. “They started tipping a little and we were able to dig it out and stay strong.”

BP (3-6 overall) also led in the fourth game, but Elizabeth May put together a long serving run that put the Rebels up 15-10.

BP head coach Gina McLaughlin knows that her team could have five more wins if it could close out tight matches, but she’s hoping it’s a lesson the Blossoms can learn.

“Some lessons you learn the hard way. But those are the ones you never forget,” McLaughlin said. “Once this team learns to finish those tight matches, they will be tough. The girls just need to even out their game and play with more consistency.”

Madi Schmitz had 13 kills and 20 assists for the Rebels and Celina Yunker had nine kills. Freshman Madison Worke had 44 assists for BP and Janelle Morem had 16 kills and 24 digs.

Southland stats: Madi Schmitz, 20 assists, 13 kills, 2 ace blocks, 1 ace, 4 digs; Celina Yunker, 9 kills, 12 digs; Haley Kirkpatrick, 10 kills, 1 ace, 1 ace blocks, 5 digs; Jana Schammel, 8 kills, 9 digs, 1 ace block; Hillary Bottema, 3 kills; Elizabeth May, 3 kills, 1 ace; 1 ace block; Kelli Smith, 2 aces, 10 digs; Kelly Gray, 11 digs; Kellie Shawback, 6 kills

BP Stats: Janelle Morem, 16 kills, 1 ace, 3 blocks, 24 digs; Jenna Krell, 15 kills, 16 digs; Taylor Hagen, 9 kills, 1 ace, 11 blocks; Madison Worke, 44 assists, 1 ace, 1 block, 16 digs; Shelbi Swenson, 3 kills, 1 ace, 14 digs; Nicole Inwards, 23 digs; Kayla Wobschall, 4 kills, 3 digs; Marissa Jensen, 2 kills, 1 block; Maggie Sorensen, 1 kill, 2 digs