NRHEG spikers top A-C, fall 3-2 to Albert Lea
HERE IT COMES — The Panthers’ Paige Overgaard (10) gets set to go up for a spike during the season opener against Alden-Conger last week. Also on the court for NRHEG: Maddie Wagner, Carlie Waner, Hailey Schuller, Ryann Hagen and Marnie Wagner. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
An inexperienced New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team opened its season under new coach Onika Peterson with a split of its first two matches.
The Panthers won a 3-1 decision at home over Alden-Conger, before dropping a five-set match on the road against Albert Lea.
NRHEG takes a 1-1 record into week two of the season.
Alden-CongerNEW RICHLAND – NRHEG opened its season by winning three of four games against Alden-Conger in New Richland Aug. 27.
The Panthers held an overall advantage of 97-81, winning 25-21, 25-20, 22-25 and 25-15.
Senior Carlie Wagner paced NRHEG’s attack by pounding 19 kills during the match.
Marnie Wagner blasted nine kills, with Maddie Wagner and Anna Stork adding three kills apiece.
Carlie Wagner and Ryan Hagen came up with four ace blocks apiece at the net, while Paige Overgaard chipped in with a pair of ace blocks.
Carlie Wagner and Maddie Wagner both had 11 digs to spark the Panther defense. Overgaard contributed six digs, one more than Hailey Schuller.
Anna Lundberg delivered four aces serves during the match, and Schuller nailed a pair of aces.
Lundberg handed out 21 assists during the night, and Schuller passed out another 10.
Albert Lea
ALBERT LEA – The Panther hit the road for the first time last Thursday, losing a five-set match to Big Nine Conference foe Albert Lea.
NRHEG opened with a thrilling 30-28 victory in game one, rallying from a seven-point deficit during the game.
AL rebounded with a convincing 25-14 win, but the Panthers reversed that score in game three to take a 2-1 lead.
However, the Tigers capitalized on numerous NRHEG errors to dominate the final two games, 25-9 and 15-7. Albert Lea finished with a 107-85 advantage for the night.
“We knew Albert Lea would be a good team,” said Peterson. “They had a fantastic setter who could find their hitters all the way across the court. She faked out our blockers a number of times.”
Carlie Wagner pounded 19 kills for the second straight game. Overgaard chipped in with 12 kills and Anna Stork added four.
Overgaard came up with four blocks at the net, one more than Carlie Wagner, Stork and Hagen.
Remi Wayne paced the Panthers with 16 digs, Carlie Wagner had 13, Overgaard picked up seven digs, Lundberg contributed six and Maddie Wagner chipped in with five digs.
Carlie Wagner delivered a pair of aces serves.
Lundberg handed out 18 assists, four more than Schuller.
“We just made too many mistakes in the final two games,” said Peterson. “Things like net violations and service errors can be corrected but hurt us tonight.”
NRHEG opened Gopher Conference play at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Tuesday.
The Panthers play at Blooming Prairie tonight and compete at the Mankato West Tournament Saturday.
NRHEG travels to Le Sueur-Henderson for a non-conference match Tuesday before returning home to battle Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton next Thursday.
NRHEG 3, Alden-Conger 1
Alden 21 20 25 15 81
NRHEG 25 25 22 25 97
Albert Lea 3, NRHEG 2
NRHEG 30 14 25 9 7 85
AL 28 25 14 25 15 107