By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
Mental errors continued to haunt the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team last week.
The Panthers suffered Gopher Conference losses to Blooming Prairie and Faribault BA, both at home.
“We have to minimize our mental errors,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. “We are still not talking and the ball drops without anyone going for it.”
NRHEG fell to fifth place in the conference with a 3-5 record. The Panthers are 8-13-3 overall, including a 2-6 record on their home court.
Blooming PrairieNEW RICHLAND – The Blooming Prairie Blossoms completed a season’s sweep of NRHEG, outscoring the Panthers 91-81 in a 3-1 victory at New Richland Oct. 8. The Blossoms won the first meeting 3-0.
Blooming Prairie improved to 6-2 in the conference and 19-5-1 for the year.
NRHEG got off to a great start, winning the opening game 25-16.
After BP pulled out a close 25-23 win in game two, the Blossoms dominated the rest of the night. Blooming Prairie won the final two games 25-17 and 25-16.
“This team goes through spurts of greatness,” said Peterson. “Then we have moments where it is very obvious that we don’t play in the off-season.”
Carlie Wagner paced the Panther attack with 18 kills and five blocks.
Paige Overgaard delivered eight kills and a pair of blocks, while Maddie Wagner chipped in with six kills.
Marnie Wagner and Carlie Wagner reached double digits in digs with 15 and 13 respectively.
Hannah Lundberg contributed nine digs, Anna Lundberg picked up eight digs and Maddie Wagner added seven digs.
Anna Lundberg handed out 18 set assists for the Panthers, followed by Hailey Schuller with 13 assists.
Faribault BA
NEW RICHLAND – Defending state champion Faribault BA came to town last Thursday and rolled to a 3-0 sweep over the Panthers, outscoring them 75 to 50 in the match.
FBA, on its way to yet another conference crown, is 6-0 in the Gopher and 12-8 for the year.
The Cardinals won by scores of 25-11, 25-18 and 25-21.
“I thought our girls played with a lot of heart and energy tonight,” said Peterson. “FBA is very well coached, but I thought our defense stepped up tonight.”
Carlie Wagner was NRHEG’s best offensive threat with eight kills and three blocks.
Overgaard picked up four kills, one more than Maddie Wagner.
Hannah Lundberg sparked the Panther defense with 13 digs, one more than Carlie Wagner.
Marnie Wagner contributed 10 digs, and Remi Wayne added seven digs.
Anna Lundberg passed out 12 assists running the Panther offense, and Schuller dished out nine assists.
NRHEG ended its regular season schedule at United South Central Tuesday.
The Panthers will get ready for Section 2AA play which begins Oct. 24.
Blooming Pr. 3, NRHEG 1
BP 16 25 25 25 91
NRHEG 25 23 17 16 81
FBA 3, NRHEG 0
FBA 25 25 25 75
NRHEG 11 18 21 50
NEXT: Oct. 24 – Sect. 2AA, TBD.