Alex Eisen/MDN Velva middle hitter Sophie Hackman (25) attempts to hit the ball around Bishop Ryan blockers Sydney Upton (1) and Chinelo Udekwe (middle) during a Class B volleyball game played Tuesday evening in Velva.

VELVA — Nervous energy in the air, the Velva Aggies succumbed to the moment and lost their first set to start the new season.

Velva (1-0) refocussed and won the next three frames to capture a come-from-behind victory against Bishop Ryan (1-1). The Aggies won by set scores of 17-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22.

“We definitely had some nerves with it being our first game,” Velva head coach Cassidy Peterson said. “But, overall, happy with the outcome. We got a little scrappy here and there. Hopefully, we can clean up our side as the season keeps going. But very happy to start off with a win.”

After being tied at 10-10, the Lions pulled away for a 20-15 lead in the opening set to force the Aggies into a timeout. Ryan scored the final five points to win 25-17 on two Sydney Upton kills, an Upton block and two miscues by the Aggies.

“Our swings weren’t quite what they should have been,” Peterson said. “The second (set) felt a little more natural.”

Velva’s Jade Lohnes sent Ryan into a quick timeout with an ace that put the Aggies up 11-5 in the second set. Lohnes showed more creativity with a no-look setter kill later in the frame.

The Aggies found their rhythm, winning the set 25-13 to even the match. Converting on set point, however, was a struggle. The Lions fended off multiple attempts before finally bowing out and going to a third set.

“We have to get more consistent on harder hits,” Peterson said. “Add a little more power behind those swings.”

Separation was hard to come by in the third set, as the two squads went back-and-forth. The score was tied at 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 before the Lions grabbed a two-point cushion on an ace by Upton.

Velva drew even again at 22-22 when No. 22 Rylee Frantsen powered down a kill in the middle of the court.

Out of a timeout, both teams scored a point. Ryan put up a block and Velva’s Camryn Volk put down a kill.

The final two points went to the Aggies. The Lions weren’t able to return the serve of libero Grace Pfennig and then touched the net on set point.

“I only have two girls who have played back row last year,” Ryan head coach Nicholas Theis said. “So, we have four new ones back there. We are still learning, and we are going to see a lot of that up and down. We have seen it in practice too. We have some really great moments, but sometimes we get stuck in lumps.”

The Lions had their fair share of balls deflect off beams and the basketball backboard hanging in the rafters.

So, when the Aggies returned a ball in the fourth set that somehow went through the beams and made it to the other side, the Ryan supporters collectively grumbled in disbelief.

“I told the girls that some of those digs in the Auditorium at district time will be digs,” Theis said. “So I think there was some stuff that maybe went their way, and two or three points our way and it’s a totally different game.”

Ryan found some ball luck to erase a 16-13 deficit with three straight points, but Velva answered with three consecutive points to surge ahead again 19-16 in the fourth set.

The Lions got back within a point at 20-19 but failed to claw all the way back to keep the match going.

Senior Sophie Hackman delivered the final dagger with a match-point kill.

“We have some things to work on but, all in all, we came out strong to start the year,” Hackman said. “I think we have a bright future ahead for our season.”

Hackman also finished with two blocks.

Lohnes led the way with a match-high 12 kills, followed by Volk with 11. Lohnes grabbed a double-double with 10 assists. Madison Effertz tossed up 18 assists as well.

Pfennig (15) and Reagan Hildre (13) collected the majority of the digs.

“We had some really strong hits, some good sets and passes,” Hackman said. “But, there are always things to work on.”

Upton and Sylvie Kramer each notched a team-high nine kills for Ryan. Nora Kramer provided 12 digs.

Setters Maleah Abel and Maggie Rovig dished out 10 and seven assists, respectively.

“It was fun to see a competitive match,” Theis said. “I was really impressed with Velva and how much they have grown. The blocking, defense and serving were all tough. So, they showed us what we have to work on.”

Velva returns to action Thursday evening with another 7 p.m. home match against Lewis & Clark-Berthold. Ryan retakes the court next Tuesday, Sept. 8, with a 7 p.m. contest at Nedrose.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.