The Packers got better with every game, but it wasn’t enough as they lost to Faribault (4-10 overall, 2-3 Big Nine) in three games in a volleyball match in Packer Gym Thursday.

Austin fell by scores of 25-11, 25-16, 25-17.

Austin (0-11 overall, 0-6 Big Nine) trailed the first game 14-5 and fought back to within 16-10, it trailed game two 12-7 and pulled within 15-14 and it trailed the final game 9-4, but game back to tie it up at 13.

“If we play like we did tonight, I feel like we can win a couple matches this weekend (in the Rochester Century tournament),” Austin senior Jocelyn Sheehan, who had six digs and five kills Thursday, said. “We’re getting a lot better and if we get the next win soon, it’ll be a big factor for the rest of the season.”

The match saw the return of Austin senior Taylor Lady, who had been out the last seven and a half months with a major knee injury. Lady’s playing time was limited to the second game, but she did put down a kill that made it 10-7 Faribault.

“Taylor looked nice,” Austin head coach Barry Brobeck said. “We put her in a left position to be safe with the knee and when she gets stronger, we’ll put her back in the middle.”

Austin has a young squad that is showing sings of improvement, but the Packers need to work on being a little more vocal on the court.

“Communication is our biggest problem right now,” Sheehan said. “Girls are running into each other on the court and we just need to talk a lot more.”

Austin stats: Jenna Svoboda, 10 set assists, 5 digs, 4 kills; Alex Hansen, 13 digs, 4 kills, 100 percent serving; Jocelyn Sheehan, 6 digs, 5 kills, 100 percent serving, 1 ace; Lisa Stundahl, 6 digs; Darrion Hunt, 100 percent serving, 2 aces