WAIT UNTIL BASKETBALL — The Panthers’ Carlie Wagner (3) blocks a spike during NRHEG’s volleyball regular-season finale, a 3-0 loss to USC. The Panthers open playoffs tonight. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
WELLS – Teams like to have some positive momentum heading into tournament time. The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team will have to do it the hard way.
Coach Onika Peterson’s Panthers ended their regular season with six consecutive losses, dropping the final to United South Central in Wells Oct., 15th, 3-0.
NRHEG was outscored 75 to 57 in the three-game sweep, losing 25-21, 25-18 and 25-18.
NRHEG ended up in sixth place in the Gopher Conference with a 3-6 record. The Panthers are 8-14-3 for the season, including 6-9-3 on the road.USC finished fifth in the conference with a 3-4 mark. The Rebels climbed to 13-13 for the season.
NRHEG was not able to get its offense untracked against the pesky Rebel defense. Carlie Wagner’s nine kills were the most any Panther could muster. She also had a pair of ace blocks.
Paige Overgaard and Anna Stork were next with four kills and one ace block apiece.
Wagner also keyed the defense with 11 digs.
Hannah Lundberg, Marnie Wagner, Hailey Schuller and Remi Wayne contributed five digs apiece.
Anna Lundberg and Schuller took care of running the Panther offense. Lundberg dished out 13 assists and Schuller finished with 10 assists.
Jade Schultz delivered three service aces for NRHEG.
NRHEG will open South Sub-Section 2AA play as the fifth seed. The Panthers will tangle with fourth-seeded Tri-City United in Montgomery this evening.
TCU defeated NRHEG 3-1 during the regular season.
A win would send the Panthers to the semifinals at Mankato East Tuesday to face the winner of top-seeded Kenyon-Wanamingo and Maple River.
USC 3, NRHEG 0
NRHEG 21 18 18 57
USC 25 25 25 75
NEXT: Tonight – South Sub-Sect. 2AA QF, NRHEG vs. TC United at Montgomery, 7 p.m.