GROTON – Aberdeen Roncalli couldn’t get a rhythm established against a defensive-minded Groton squad Thursday evening, falling to the Tigers by set scores of 25-22, 25-15 and 25-20 in a Northeast Conference rivalry showdown.

“It was a very tough match,” said Roncalli coach Leesa Ware. “We were defensively out-played tonight.”

Roncalli, which was receiving votes in the latest Class A poll, mustered a battle in the opening set, but couldn’t gain any traction in the second set. Groton, up two sets to none, completed the sweep to improve to 4-1 overall.

The Tigers were aggressive throughout the match, racking up nice aces to go along with 42 kills.

Rylee Dunker led Groton with 17 kills. Chesney Weber contributed eight kills and four ace serves. Jaedyn Penning added eight kills, a pair of ace serves and 17 digs.

McKenna O’Keefe finished with nine kills for the Cavaliers, while Morgan Helms had five kills, 12 digs and a service ace. Ava Hanson finished with a pair of blocks at the net, as well.

Roncalli, 3-3 on the season, will head to Hayti on Saturday to face unbeaten Hamlin in another NEC contest.

Serving: Aberdeen Roncalli 57-62 3 aces (Morgan Helms 11-11 1 ace, Rylee Voeller 9-11 1 ace); Groton 67-75 9 aces (Chesney Weber 4 aces, Jaedyn Penning 2 aces, Laila Roberts 2 aces).

Hitting: Aberdeen Roncalli 111-127 27 kills (McKenna O’Keefe 33-38 9 kills, Helms 23-24 5 kills); Groton 105-112 42 kills (Rylee Dunker 30-33 17 kills, Weber 21-25 8 kills, Penning 16-17 8 kills).

Setting: Aberdeen Roncalli 93-93 20 assists (Maddie Huber 70-70 13 assists, Ava Danielson 23-23 7 assists); Groton 40 assists (Weber 22, Liz Fliehs 14).

Digs: Aberdeen Roncalli 75 (Voeller 13, Helms 12); Groton 73 (Jerica Locke 29, Penning 17, Weber 10).

Blocks: Aberdeen Roncalli 4 assists (Ava Hanson 2 assists); Groton 3 (Dunker 1, Taryn Traphagen 1, Weber 1).

Records: Aberdeen Roncalli 3-3; Groton 4-1.