Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Blue Earth Area's Alicia Machacek (7) cannot block a spike from New Ulm's Riley Melby (3) Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

NEW ULM — New Ulm swept Blue Earth Area 25-19, 25-19, 25-9 on Tuesday in a Big South Conference volleyball match.

The first set was a tight one. The score was tied eight times and there were several lead changes before the Eagles pulled away to win the set. New Ulm shut out BEA 6-0 by taking advantage of Buccaneer mistakes. The Eagles scored the final two points on a kill and a block at the net.

Both squads played even throughout most of the second set. The Eagle’s defense came up with some good plays to keep their momentum. A double block at the net gave New Ulm a 19-15 lead. Riley Melby made a tip of the ball from the front line that brought the Eagles closer to taking the set. A BEA miscue and a hit of the ball out of bounds gave New Ulm its final two points and the set.

The Eagles took command of the third set by jumping out to a 13-2 advantage. New Ulm played with confidence while BEA struggled to score points. Part of the BEA’s troubles were unforced errors and hitting the ball into the net. New Ulm was able to make several key plays which included several well-placed tips and a drop of the ball between two BEA defenders.

Natalie Yackley had 23 set assists and four digs while Melby added 12 kills with two blocks. Ella Freiderich had three digs and Laura Bertrang finished with four kills and two blocks. Madalyn O’Connor had eight kills while Nicole Albrecht had eight digs.

New Ulm (7-0, 7-1) is scheduled to play in the Big South Crossover next Tuesday against an opponent yet to be determined.