The Panthers appeared to gain control of the match after game one, winning the second game 25 to 23 and dominating game three, 25 to 13.
Albert Lea kept the match alive by turning things around in game four with a 25 to 19 victory.
NRHEG survived to win the deciding final set, 16 to 14.
“We are still trying to find our identity and mesh as a team, but it’s great to start the season 1-0,” said Kuechenmeister. “This match was a definite step in the right direction.”
The Panther hitting attack had a good first game. Raelin Schue paced NRHEG with 11 kills, Carlie Wagner delivered nine and Jade Schultz nailed eight
The Panthers also received four kills from Katie Cole and three by Paige Overgaard.
“Raelin was a big-time spark for us at the net,” said Kuechenmeister. “When we needed a kill, we were able to go to her and she put the ball down.”
Wagner contributed six ace blocks, Schultz swatted away five balls, with Cole and Overgaard adding five ace blocks apiece.
Nicole Bartness delivered six aces from the service line, Cole nailed two ace serves and Schultz chipped in one.
Wagner came up with 13 digs on the defensive side, Bartness finished with six digs, Kaiana Shurson and Schultz came up with five digs apiece and Hannah Lundberg added three digs.
Bartness handled the setting duties, dishing out 38 assists.
NRHEG will be at home for a conference match against Randolph tonight, a team it swept in three games last season.
The Panthers will compete at the Mankato Invitational Saturday, before returning home for a non-conference clash with Le Sueur-Henderson Tuesday.
Maple River will visit NRHEG next Thursday.
NRHEG 3, AL 2
AL 25 23 13 25 14 100
NR 22 25 25 19 16 107
NEXT: Sept. 6 – Randolph at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.
