By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
NEW RICHLAND – The Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers outscored New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 98-74 to avenge an earlier loss and capture a 3-1 volleyball victory in New Richland last Thursday.
The Bucs, who lost a five-game match to NRHEG earlier this year, climbed to 4-1 (2nd) in the conference and 15-4 for the year.
The Panthers fell to fifth in the league (3-3) and 8-11-3 overall.
WEM put the Panthers in an immediate hole, winning the first two games, 25-15 and 25-18.
NRHEG stayed alive with a 25-23 victory in game three, but WEM closed things out with a 25-16 triumph.“Mental errors killed us,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. “At times, we did not communicate in the back row, letting balls drop without anyone going after them.”
WEM’s attack featured 19 kills from Kamryn Kendall, 11 blasts by Kailey Kendall and nine kills from Kate Masberg.
Erika Olson had five ace blocks for the winners.
Carlie Wagner topped the Panther hitters with 14 kills and four ace blocks.
Paige Overgaard and Maddie Wagner added five kills apiece, and Marnie Wagner chipped in with three kills.
WEM’s Alexa Baker nailed 16 of 17 serves and delivered three aces.
The Panther defense was kept busy by WEM. Hannah Lundberg led NRHRH with 15 digs, Carlie Wagner picked up 10 digs, Marnie Wagner and Remi Wayne had eight digs apiece, Anna Lundberg contributed six digs and Marnie Wagner added five digs.
Kate Elwood led the Buccaneers with 20 digs, two more than Masberg. Baker and Morgan Jindra picked up 13 digs apiece.
“We need to be more aggressive both offensively and defensively,” said Peterson. “We tipped a lot tonight. WEM used our tips as a free ball and attack.”
Anna Lundberg handed out 12 assists for the Panthers, one more than Hailey Schuller.
Masberg dished out 18 set assists for WEM, followed by Haley Taylor with 13/
NRHEG captured a 2-1 victory in the junior varsity game, winning 15-25, 26-24 and 15-10.
The Panthers play their final regular season home game tonight, hosting defending state champ Faribault B.A.
NRHEG travels to United South Central Tuesday.
WEM 3, NRHEG 1
WEM 25 25 23 25 98
NRHEG 15 18 25 16 74
NEXT: Tonight – Faribault BA at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.