The St. Edmond volleyball team knows they have a challenging mountain to climb once North Central Conference action begins.

That is why the Gaels are taking advantage of every opportunity to grow right now.

After dropping the first game here Tuesday evening to Storm Lake, St. Edmond rallied to win the next three and take the match.

Scores were 23-25, 25-13, 25-21 and 25-14.

“We have some experience, but we are also using some new girls to give us more depth,” SEHS head coach Dee Huss said. “That is causing us to have some situations where we are still learning where everyone is on the court. But I really felt like after that first, we came together and did a better job of communicating.

“I really like the size that we can put out on the floor with everything else that we have.”

Josie Huss, a returning starter for the Gaels (3-5 overall) had 11 kills, 10 digs and was 17-for-17 serving with a pair of aces.

Sydney Engels added 10 kills, Leah Neverman had six kills and five blocks, and Cambrie McBride recorded five kills with seven digs.

“We know Josie is our anchor out there,” Huss said. “She has been a regular now and can really help get everyone situated and settled. Sydney continues to grow, as does Leah. And Cambrie is another athletic player that we can use in a lot of situations.”

Huss was also impressed by the play of sophomore Aleah Anderson, along with seniors Maggie Conrad and Taryn Feser.

“Aleah is still learning the game but she has really grown so far this year,” she said. “Maggie did a great job for us and Taryn came in there off the bench and provided us some quality time on the court.

“I just really like our depth and our height right now because we know once the NCC starts up, we are going to face some very quality teams.”

Kacey Kruthoff had three blocks and Engels added two, with McBride chipping in seven blocks and Feser five. McBride was also 17-for-19 serving with an ace.

Storm Lake won the junior varsity match, 21-25, 27-25, 15-8, and the freshman contest, 25-14, 25-20.

The Gaels return to action on Thursday when they host Hampton-Dumont. Match time is set for 7:30 p.m.