Volleyball team runs record to 8-10-3
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
Consistency is what nearly every athletic team aims for. Good teams usually develop it during a season. Bad teams do not.
Coach Onika Peterson’s New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team continued to struggle with consistency last week.
NRHEG dropped a non-conference match in four games to Tri-City United, playing one of its best and one of its worst games of the year in the match.
The Panthers picked up a Gopher Conference road victory at Randolph later in the week.
NRHEG concluded its busy week with one win and two ties in five matches at the Blue Earth Invite.
The Panthers are 3-2 (3rd) in the conference and 8-10-3 overall.TCU
NEW RICHLAND – NRHEG played one of its best games and one of its worst games in losing a 3-1 decision to Tri-City United in New Richland Sept. 24. The Titans captured just their second win against six defeats.
TCU outscored NRHEG 97 to 73, winning 25-21, 22-25, 25-18 NS 25-9.
“We played exceptionally well in game two and completely fell apart in the fourth game,” said Peterson. “TCU came into our gym ready to fight and they won.”
Paige Overgaard topped the NRHEG attack with 11 kills, two more than Carlie Wagner. Ryann Hagen chipped in with a pair of kills.
Wagner, Hagen and Anna Stork had three ace blocks apiece.
The Panthers had four players reach double digits in digs. Marnie Wagner topped the team with 16 digs, Carlie Wagner and Overgaard picked up 12 digs apiece and Maddie Wagner added 11 digs.
Anna Lundberg dished out 16 set assists, and Hailey Schuller contributed another seven.
The NRHEG junior varsity picked up a 2-1 win with scores of 25-18, 23-25, 15-10.
Randolph
RANDOLPH – NRHEG kept Randolph in the Gopher basement with a four-game victory on the road last Thursday. The Rockets dropped to 0-4 in the conference and 5-9 for the year.
“We played with lots of heart, energy and excitement tonight,” said Peterson. “We are still trying to find our groove. Tonight was a great confidence booster.”
NRHEG battled to a tough 27-25 win in the opening game, followed by a 25-17 victory.
Randolph stayed alive with a 25-20 victory in game three, but the Panthers wrapped things up with a 25-22 triumph.
Carlie Wagner sparked the attack, banging down 18 kills and picking up five ace blocks.
Overgaard delivered nine kills and three ace blocks.
Maddie Wagner nailed six kills, while Hagen added three kills and five ace blocks.
The Panthers had a great defensive effort in the game. Carlie Wagner led the way with 19 digs, Remi Wayne and Hannah Lundberg picked up 13 digs apiece, Maddie Wagner contributed 11 digs, Marnie Wagner added 10 digs and Anna Lundberg chipped in with nine digs.
Anna Lundberg handed out 23 assists. Schuller passed out another eight assists.
The NRHEG JV captured another 2-1 triumph, winning 25-14, 22-25 and 15-10.
Blue Earth
BLUE EARTH – The Panthers finished their week by going 1-2-2 at Saturday’s Blue Earth Invitational.
NRHRG started the busy day with a 2-0 defeat to Martin County West. The Mavericks improved to 18-5 for the year.
The Panthers battled to a 1-1 deadlock with Minnesota Valley Lutheran in round two. The Chargers climbed to 8-12-2 overall.
NRHEG captured its lone win of the day in round three, keeping the home team winless for the year. The Bucs fell to 0-17-2.
The Panthers and LeSueur-Henderson finished in a 1-1 tie in round four. The Giants, a section foe, stand 8-15-2 overall.
Southwest United improved to 13-4-1 for the year with a 2-0 victory over NRHEG in the final round.
No individual statistics were provided for the tournament.
WEM comes to New Richland tonight, looking to avenge an earlier 3-2 defeat to the Panthers. NRHEG is at home against Blooming Prairie Tuesday and defending state champ Faribault BA Oct. 10.
TCU 3, NRHEG 1
TCU 25 22 25 25 97
NRHEG 21 25 18 9 73
NRHEG 3, Randolph 1
NRHEG 27 25 20 25 97
Randolph 25 17 25 22 89
Blue Earth Invite
Martin Co. West 2, NRHEG 0
NRHEG 1, Minnesota Valley Luth. 1
NRHEG 2, Blue Earth 0
NRHEG 1, Le Sueur-Henderson 1
Southwest United 2, NRHEG 0
NEXT: Tonight – WEM at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.