In the battle of rival volleyball teams, Littlefork-Big Falls reached one of its goals only three matches into the 2011 season by sweeping International Falls, 25-21, 25-16, 25-15, in the Vikings’ home gym Thursday night.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” said L-BF head coach Sarah Bradley. “They worked really hard and they never seemed to get down — they stayed aggressive the whole game.”

The third and final game initially looked like the Broncos were beginning to turn the tide after breaking a 10-10 tie and pulling in front by three, but that was before the Vikings responded with 12 consecutive points of their own.

“I was hoping to shift the momentum and I started to do some subbing and I started to change things up a little bit,” said Falls head coach Erin Shikowsky. “But we’re young, as far as our knowledge goes and as far as our skills go, so we just need to keep pushing forward, keep competing, and hopefully by playoff time we’re where we want to be.”

Both teams had won both of their previous matches entering Thursday’s contest as L-BF improved to 3-0 and Falls dropped to 2-1.

“Things are looking pretty good for our team, and if they keep working hard, I think they’re going to have a really good season,” Bradley said.

Shikowsky said losing to the Vikings was a learning experience for the Broncos.

“I know we still really need to find our best passers and stick with them,” she said. “Our passing is a little rocky, so that makes it tough for our setter running all over the court and trying to get a hit out of it, so we’re just trying to learn a lot of little things.”

Brooke Millerbernd led L-BF with 10 kills. Other statistical leaders for the Vikings included: Breann Larson, 10 digs; Abby Thompson, four ace serves; and Paige DeLack, three ace serves, six kills and 24 set assists.

The Broncos’ Statistical leaders included:

• Reva Renollet, 17 set assists, three kills, five digs, one block.

• Jenna Vergeldt, seven kills, four blocks.

• Kelsey Foss, 15 digs, two ace serves.

• Tessa Walls, nine kills, one ace serve, two blocks.

For game photos of Thursday’s volleyball match, see Page B2.