Owatonna raced to a 25-11 win in the opening set Thursday night, but Faribault bounced back to push the match to five sets before the Huskies escaped with the 3-2 win.

Owatonna (8-11, 4-4 Big Nine) won 25-11, 20-25, 24-26, 25-18, 15-12 over Faribault (6-12, 3-5). The Huskies' Sydney Schultz had a huge night with nearly 30 kills. Lexi Langeland added about 20.

The evening started with Owatonna jumping ahead 12-1 in the opening set on the way to a 25-11 win. The Falcons picked themselves up and went back-and-forth in the second set through a 15-15 tie. Faribault reeled off seven straight points and went on to grab the set 25-20. Faribault's Lauren Isaacson had eight of her 18 kills in the set.

With OHS leading 17-15 in the third set, Faribault went on an 8-3 run and eventually took the set 26-24. The Falcons' Madison Rendler had six of her 12 kills in the win.

Owatonna went on a big run early in the fourth set for an 8-3 lead. Faribault battled back to take a 15-13 lead. OHS responded with a 12-3 stretch to win the fourth set 25-18.

Faribault grabbed a 5-2 lead in the fifth set. The Huskies reeled off six straight points for an 8-5 advantage. The Falcons scored three straight to tie it up. The Huskies scored the next four to lead 12-8. Faribault got within 13-12 before the Huskies closed it out.

The night featured some very long rallies and great digs by both teams. It was Faribault's Block Out Cancer night, with many fans wearing pink. The Huskies play at the St. Michael-Albertville tournament starting Friday. The Falcons go to Big Nine-leading Rochester Century on Tuesday night.

The Panthers swept Winona to remain the lone conference unbeaten. Northfield topped Rochester JM 3-1. Mankato West blanked Red Wing.

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