Ipswich dropped a hard-fought 3-0 decision to Lake Region Conference rival Faulkton Area on Monday in the Tiger Den. It was the last home match for the seniors and they and their parents were the honorees on Senior Night.

The initial set was highly contested throughout the set with several ties. The last tie was at 26-26 but the visitors closed out the set with a pair of points for a 28-26 win. The second set wasn't quite so close, though, as Ipswich was defeated 25-16. But the third set was similar to the first, resulting in a 25-22 IHS loss. (The last tie in that match was 20-20.)

Ipswich received a 115-123 hitting evening with 27 kills, led by Abby Grabowska at 54-54 with 14 kills. Lindsey Grabowska was next with a 18-20, eight kills effort. But Faulkton powered down 46 kills among its 93 total hits.

In setting all that up, Ipswich was 137-141 with 25 assists, paced by Halle Heinz, 68-72 with 11 assists and Bailey Pitz, 53-53,13.

The Lady Tigers finished 56-64 at the service line with a total of four aces. It was a balanced effort, as Sydney Loken was 11-13 with one ace, Halle Heinz 10-11,2 and Pitz, 10-10. One of those seniors Kamryn Heinz, who has been sidelined by a knee injury was also able to drop in an opening serve, before going back to the bench. Faulkton also did some damage at the service line, though, with a 68-77, three-aces evening.

Defensively, Ipswich totaled 86 digs, in another balanced effort, led by Chesney Olivier with 20. She has now totaled over 1000 career digs, making her a member of the 1000 Career Digs Club, as just a sophomore. Lindsey Grabowska was next with 19 digs, followed by Abby Grabowska with 16 and Halle Heinz also in double figures with 13. Ipswich added four block assists with Paige Mehlberg and Halle Heinz contributing two each. Faulkton countered with 73 digs, plus two solo blocks and eight assisted blocks.

The loss dropped Ipswich to 16-10 overall and 2-4 in league play. The Lady Tigers will have two remaining matches in their regular-season schedule. They'll play league foe Leola-Frederick on October 19 at Leola and will then travel to Herreid, facing Herreid-Selby Area on October 22.