Volleyball team nearly takes LS-H to five games in sub-section finals

“It's a tough loss to swallow because we did have our opportunities,” said Kuechenmeister. “But I'm proud of the way the girls battled to the last point and left it all out on the floor. We get a couple of bounces to go our way and this match could have easily went to five sets, so that right there gives you an indication that the girls were playing at a high level, and I think it's easier to accept defeat if it comes at the hands of a worthy opponent and you played well. That was certainly the case tonight.”

Individual statistics for the Panthers: Anna Schlaak 20 kills, 20 digs, 1 assist, 3 ace blocks, 1 ace serve; Carlie Wagner 10 kills, 7 digs, 1 assist, 6 ace blocks; Jade Schultz 4 kills, 7 digs, 3 ace blocks; Harlee Vokoun 7 kills, 11 digs, 1 ace block; Raelin Schue 3 kills, 2 digs, 2 ace blocks; Noelle Bartness 1 kill, 16 digs, 49 assists, 2 ace blocks; Amy Thompson 1 assist, 8 digs.

The Panthers reached the finals with a thrilling 3-2 semifinal win over Blue Earth Area at New Richland Tuesday, Nov. 1. The Panthers won 25-21, 23-25, 25-14, 18-25, 15-11.

“What a barn burner,” said Kuechenmeister. “Unbelievable match. Both teams played with tremendous energy and great heart, and it's almost too bad to see a loser in a situation like this. To our girls’ credit, they battled and pulled through in the pressure situations to secure the win and move on to the sub-section championship. That's been our goal all season long and I'm so proud of the girls for being able to follow through and take that next step The key to our success tonight was staying aggressive.”

NRHEG statistics: Schlaak 29 kills, 17 digs, 6 ace blocks, 1 ace serve; Wagner 11 kills, 6 digs, 7 ace blocks; Schultz 5 kills, 4 digs, 6 ace blocks, 5 ace serves; Vokoun 7 kills, 10 digs, 5 ace blocks; Schue 2 kills, 2 assists, 2 ace blocks; Thompson 7 digs; Bartness 42 assists, 12 digs, 1 ace block, 2 ace serves. 

The Panthers, 7-1 and second behind perennial power Bethlehem Academy in the Gopher Conference, finished 23-7 in Kuechenmeister’s second season as head coach.

The Panthers will graduate seniors Tori Raimann, Schlaak, Thompson, Vokoun, Stormy Mulder and Rachel Ledding.

"It's going to be tough to replace this senior class,” said Kuechenmeister. “I've had the privilege of coaching them for the past two years, and their talent and experience has certainly made my job easier. They've been a great group to work with, and they should be nothing but proud of their accomplishments throughout their Panther volleyball careers.”