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The Dutchmen and Crusaders are undefeated in the conference, while the Dogs dropped to 2-2 in the West Central Conference North and 6-4 overall.

"We played better against Melrose than we did against Cathedral," said coach Dawn Knoll. "Our serving was poorÉand that really hurts the team when rally scoring is used."

"When we did settle down and serve, we weren't giving Melrose anything difficult to handle," Knoll continued. "Our hitters were not hitting with the confidence that we have had in past matches."

Melrose won the first set easily on Thursday, 25-15, and won the next two sets, which were closer, 25-20 and 25-22.

The Dogs served only 84 percent, with 10 service errors in 62 serve attempts.

Senior Brittany Lieser and junior Shonda Martinson led the Dogs at the net with eight kills for Lieser and six for Martinson.

"We knew that this would be the toughest week in our schedule," said Knoll. "Now the challenge is how we bounce back."

The Dogs played Sauk Centre on Tuesday night at home. They will start a three-game road trip at Long Prairie against LPGE on Thursday, which marks the second half of the conference schedule. Next week, the Dogs will play at Kimball on Monday, Oct. 4, and at Albany on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Paynesville--	15	20	22
Melrose--	25	25	25

Individual Statistics
Hitting: Brittany Lieser 17/23 - 8A; Rachael Wendlandt 12/15 - 4A; Lynn Lieser 11/13 - 2A; Shonda Martinson 11/14 - 6A; Team 60/78 - 22A;
Serving: Wendlandt 12/13 - 1A; Ashley Lieser 11/13; Kendra Johnson 8/10; Team 52/62 - 1A;
Blocks: Lynn Lieser 3A; Martinson 2A;
Assists: Johnson 35/35 - 8A; Ashley Liser 27/27 - 9A; Team 68/68 - 18A;
Digs: Kayla Mackedanz 14/19; Val Callenius 8/10; Mel Mages 7/8; Team 51/65.

Cathedral 3, Paynesville 0
State-rated St. Cloud Cathedral swept the Dogs in three sets on Tuesday, Sept. 21, in St. Cloud.

The Crusaders, who finished sixth in the state in Class AA last year, won nearly two out of three points for the match, recording the match victory while allowing only 41 points to Paynesville.

"It was one of those nights when the entire team was off. We didn't attack the ball, and our passing was very inaccurate," said Knoll. "It is hard to get a good rhythm going when the setters are chasing the ball all over the court. Cathedral was on, and we struggled to get any type of attack going."

Paynesville--	18	11	12
Cathedral--	25	25	25

Individual Statistics
Hitting: Wendlandt 13/16 - 3A; Martinson 12/15 - 5A; Brittany Lieser 10/14 - 4A; Val Callenius 8/10; Lynn Lieser 8/8 - 4A; Team 58/75 - 17A;
Serving: Brittany Lieser 9/9 - 2A; Lynn Lieser 6/7 - 1A; Team 38/42 - 4A;
Blocks: Martinson 1A;
Assists: Johnson 40/45 - 8A; Ashley Lieser 27/27 - 4A; Team 71/76 - 12A;
Digs: Mackedanz 10/15; Team 34/48.