The NRHEG volleyball team started last week with a tough 3-2 loss to United South Central.
It was downhill from there.
The Panthers, who lost a marathon match to USC Tuesday, were swept by WEM Thursday to finish an 0-2 week. The Panthers are 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the Gopher Conference.
“Waterville is a good team,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. “They are very solid across the board and have some great hitters. I thought overall we did a nice job blocking against them. When we were able to hit, we got some good swings against them. However, we struggled across the board with our passing —serve receiving and digging. When they have powerhouse hitters like Kendall and Masberg, we can't struggle with passing.”
NRHEG’s individual statistics: Maddie Wagner 2 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace serve; Marnie Wagner 3 kills, 7 digs; Abby Wacholz 6 kills, 1 dig, 1 ace block, 1 ace serve; Anna Lundberg 6 assists; Gretchen Ramaker 1 kill, 1 dig, 1 ace block; Rachel Collins 6 assists, 4 digs; Grace Johns 4 digs; Hailey Schuller 2 digs; Abby Christopherson 3 digs; Sophie Fischer 4 kills, 2 digs; Corrie Powell 2 digs.
The Panthers won the first game 25-17 against USC and took game four 25-19, but the Rebels won 25-20 and 25-23 to set up a deciding game five, which USC won 17-15.
“We need to cut down on our errors missing serves, letting tip/hits drop with three girls around and no one moving for them,” said Coach Peterson. “We have been playing with so many ups and downs the last couple of games. We need to keep the momentum on our side and be strong the whole game through.”
Individually: Mad. Wagner 2 kills, 3 digs, 3 ace serves; Mar. Wagner 12 kills, 23 digs, 3 ace serves; Wacholz 17 kills, 2 ace blocks, 2 digs; Ramaker 4 kills, 1 ace block, 6 digs; Schuller 6 kills, 4 digs; Fischer 11 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace serve; Lundberg 9 assists, 11 digs, 1 ace serve; Collins 20 assists, 16 digs; Johns 14 digs; Christopherson 10 digs; Powell 12 digs.
