TULARE – Aberdeen Christian was unable to overcome a slow start and dropped a 25-20, 25-21, 25-12 non-conference volleyball decision to Hitchcock-Tulare Tuesday night.

“We came out slow, but these girls just keep fighting and don’t give up. That’s all I can ask for,” said Christian coach Sara Powell.

The Knights had a strong effort from the service line where they racked up 15 aces, led by Chloe Bosma with eight. She also had four kills.

Hitchcock-Tulare offset that work with a dozen aces of its own. Cambree Hoekman topped the Patriots with six aces and Ella Johnson had four.

Isabel Gilbert and Rebecca Huizenga each had six kills for Hitchcock-Tulare on the night. Gilbert also added four blocks.

Alexis Isakson had 15 digs and Payton Skarin nine for the Knights, who pushed the host hard for two sets, but were unable to get over the hump.

“I’m so proud of their hard work,” Powell said. “We just need to finish.”

Christian plays host to Wolsey-Wessington on Thursday at the Christian School Gym in another non-conference match.

Serving: Aberdeen Christian 49-55 15 aces (Chloe Bosma 18-19 8 aces, Sophia Fogarty 2-2 1 ace); Hitchcock-Tulare 65-74 12 aces (Cambree Hoekman 27-29 6 aces, Ella Johnson 15-16 4 aces).

Hitting: Aberdeen Christian 45-65 9 kills (Bosma 18-22 4 kills, Fogarty 6-7 1 kill); Hitchcock-Tulare 74-89 19 kills (Isabel Gilbert 20-21 6 kills, Rebecca Huizenga 25-28 6 kills).

Setting: Aberdeen Christian 78-86 9 assists (Fogarty 22-30 6 assists, Sawyer Schwan 24-24 3 assists); Hitchcock-Tulare 66-67 16 assists (Presley Binger 38-39 9 assists, Gracyn Bixler 27-27 7 assists).

Digs: Aberdeen Christian 59 (Alexis Isakson 15, Payton Skarin 9); Hitchcock-Tulare 32 (Hoekman 13, Johnson 4, Greely Labrie 4).

Blocks: Aberdeen Christian 2 solo (Emma Sand 2); Hitchcock-Tulare 2 solo 6 assists (Gilbert 2 solo 2 assists).

Records: Aberdeen Christian 0-9; Hitchcock-Tulare 5-8.