The Austin volleyball team came as close to winning a Big Nine match as it has in three years, but it couldn’t close the deal in a five-game loss to Rochester John Marshall in Packer Gym Thursday.

The Rockets took the match by scores of 25-16, 25-27, 25-8, 22-25, 15-9.

Austin hasn’t won a Big Nine match since 2011 and this was as close as it has come to winning a conference match since that year.

“I was very proud of the way the kids played,” Austin head coach Cindy Owen said. “They really played well together as a team. They worked very hard and they adjusted very well to some things JM threw at them. Except for that one game, we were pretty tight with them.”

Alex Hansen had five kills and 15 digs for the Packers (3-15 overall, 0-6 Big Nine).

Austin stats: Kelsey Sederquest, 8 points serving, 13 digs; Shayley Vesel, 5 points serving, 12 set assists, 8 digs; Trista Akkerman, 6 kills; Alex Hansen, 5 kills, 15 digs; Abi Collins, 3 kills, 3 blocks; Marissa Hart, 8 set assists; Awenia Nywesh, 3 blocks