The Panthers were unable to cash in on a game point in the opening game and ended up taking a 26-24 loss.
NRHEG evened the match at 1-1 by eaking out a 25-23 win in game two.
The only lop-sided game was the third one where the Buccaneers rolled to a 25-15 victory.
WEM avoided a game point and clinched the match with a 26-24 triumph in the fourth game.
Carlie Wagner paced the Panthers up front, smashing 16 kills. Katie Cole delivered 10 kills, Paige Overgaard delivered five kills and Jade Schultz added four kills.
Wagner had six ace blocks at the net, while Overgaard and Noelle Bartness chipped in with two ace blocks apiece.
From the service line, Schultz, Kalana Shurson and Bartness nailed two ace serves apiece.
Wagner and Shurson sparked the defense with 10 digs apiece, one more than Schultz.
Bartness added six digs, Hannah Lundberg came up with four digs with Overgaard and Cole contributing three digs apiece.
“We have some work to do to maintain a level of consistency throughout the duration of a match,” said Kuechenmeister. “That will be our main focus in the weeks to come.”
NRHEG has a home match against Maple River this evening before traveling to Faribault BA Monday. The Panthers will play at Medford Tuesday.
WEM 3, NRHEG 1
WEM 26 23 25 26 100
NRHEG 24 25 15 24 88
NEXT: Thursday-Maple River at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.
