Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Caroline Smyth blocks a Maplewood attempt during Tuesday’s Region 2 volleyball match in Russell.

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower volleyball team welcomed the state-ranked Maplewood Tigers on Tuesday night and battled hard for three sets, battling point for point in the third set before falling 25-23 in Region 2 action.

Eisenhower competed from start to finish and for head coach Lori Pascuzzi.

“We did a lot of good things tonight,” she said. “We had some great rallies and stopped a lot of Maplewood’s attacks with blocking and defensive coverage, but we just made too many mistakes that they took advantage of.”

The Knights lost the first set 25-13, but settled down after that and were neck and neck with the visitors in the second set until the Tigers went on a 7-0 run to open up a lead. Maplewood eventually took the second set 25-15.

Eisenhower opened up a 3-1 lead in the third set before the Tigers came back to lead 4-3. From then on it was as neck and neck as neither team could pull away. Maplewood did open up a 22-18 lead before Eisenhower battled back behind Lainey Font’s serves. The Knights did take a 23-22 lead before losing the serve and the Tigers took advantage, scoring the final two points to win 25-23 and take the match.

The Knights were led by Caroline Smyth, who had five blocks and four kills on the night. Marissa Gourley added five kills and Paisley Lawson added four.

“We just had too many mistakes against a quality team like Maplewood,” Pascuzzi said. “We will continue to work on our consistency. The girls have made tremendous progress so far this season. I am very proud of their effort.”