Volleyball is such a game of rhythm and momentum that little things can quickly throw a team out of sync.

When big things go wrong, it just looks bad, said Gothenburg volleyball coach Mary Clark.

The Swedes came out cold against Southwest in a triangular at home on Sept. 8 and never warmed up.

“We didn’t serve or pass as well as we had been,” Clark said. “Without those, you don’t get anywhere.”

The Swedes missed seven serves and goofed up 25 passes as they fell to the Roughriders 25-19, 25-15.

“We never found our rhythm in that game,” Clark said. “We never clicked.”

Although Southwest (7-1) wasn’t a dominating team, the Roughriders were able to take advantage of Gothenburg’s pitfalls.

Senior Emily Max led the Swede effort with five ace serves, nine service points and seven kills.

“The good thing about that triangular,” Clark said, “is the girls were able to put the Southwest game behind them and come back to beat Sutherland like they should in two sets. They pushed through the loss and won the next game decisively.”

Gothenburg beat the Sailors 25-16, 25-16.

“We got things together,” Clark said. “We served better and passed better and played more of our game.”

Max was 10-of-11 serving for three aces and eight service points. Janae Wiggins and McKenzie Geiken earned seven service points each.

Freshman Jacey Wiggins was the leading hitter for Gothenburg with 9-of-10 good spikes and six kills.

Southwest also beat Sutherland 25-11, 25-16.