By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG volleyball team closed out the regular season at home Thursday, Oct. 22 against Blooming Prairie.
It’s not the way they’d like to go into tournament time.
The Panthers had a tough night as the Blossoms swept 3-0, game scores of 25-16, 25-23, 25-10.
It left NRHEG 12-12 overall. The Panthers finished 2-4 in the Gopher Conference.
“We struggled tonight across the board,” said Panthers coach Onika Peterson. “We were very inconsistent.”The Panthers made a strong run in game two, battling from behind before falling by two.
“I told the girls that even though we lost, we had the momentum going into game three and we were going to get the win,” said Peterson.
But it wasn’t to be.
“We didn't really show up in game three,” said Peterson. “Blooming is playing extremely well. Kittleson has those girls blocking and hitting very well. Overall, it was a frustrating night for the Panthers. We have a great team and can play with energy. We have to get everyone playing on all cylinders to be successful next week.”
Individually: Maddie Wagner 3 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace block; Marnie Wagner 3 kills, 8 digs; Abby Wacholz 3 kills, 5 digs, 1 ace serve; Anna Lundberg 6 assists, 2 digs, 1 ace serve; Gretchen Ramaker 3 digs; Rachel Collins 9 assists, 3 digs; Grace Johns 6 digs; Hailer Schuller 1 kill, 3 digs; Abby Christopherson 1 dig; Sophia Fischer 3 kills, 4 digs, 1 ace block, 1 ace serve; Corrie Powell 2 digs.
The Panthers drew the No. 2 seed in the south half of Section 2AA and begin tournament play tonight, hosting Waseca.
The winner plays Monday at Mankato East.