NEW ULM — Mara Weisensel set the school career blocks record for Minnesota Valley Lutheran as the Chargers swept Wabasso 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 on Thursday in Tomahawk Conference volleyball action.

MVL remains perfect in conference play at 5-0.

Weisensel has 208 career blocks, which passed Amanda Burk’s 207 career blocks. Weisensel finished with 20 kills and two blocks against Wabasso.

“I feel a lot of excitement and hope for the team,” Weisensel said. “I know that our team can pull it together and I know that we can win.”

Weisensel said that MVL has played two very good teams this week, and next week, the Chargers will face Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, who is also perfect in the conference.

Emma Nelson had 10 digs and seven blocks, Kaylee Hunter added 13 digs with two blocks and Maddie Pearson chipped in 34 set assists.

The first set could have easily gone to the Rabbits. Both coaches considered that set to set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Wabasso held the early lead and led by as much as 3 in the first set before MVL tied it and led 16-12 after a 4-0 run. The Rabbits tied it again at 17-17 when an MVL player missed the ball on an unforced error. Wabasso was able to score and it led 21-18. MVL fought back to tie it 23-23 on a kill. An unforced error and a kill by MVL gave it the final points and the set win.

Wabasso’s final lead of the night was 2-0 early in the second set. Two straight soft drops by the MVL front line tied it. The Chargers started to assert themselves later in the set when they built a 16-8 advantage. Wabasso tried to close the gap, but MVL was able to keep the Rabbits at bay at claim the set.

The Chargers took advantage of two Wabasso mistakes to tie the match early in the third set. That started a 9-0 run for MVL.

Whenever the Rabbits would try to start a comeback, the Chargers would respond with good defense, solid passing of the ball among teammates and scoring points to maintain the momentum.

Wabasso closed the gap to 19-14. MVL responded when it put together a 6-4 run. Wabasso’s serve hit the net and MVL won the set and the match.

“MVL is a good team. They’ve good some very good hitters,” Wabasso head coach Barb Johnson said. “It was a very competitive game overall.”

Wabasso’s Cora Eichten had seven kills, while Kelsey Fischer added six kills. Kelsey Frank added 14 set assists and Avery Carlson had five set assists and three digs. Bella Brand had five digs.

MVL (12-4, 5-0) will play at Nicollet on Monday. Wabasso (5-14, 3-1) will host Red Rock Central on Friday.