By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
NRHEG volleyball coach Onika Peterson called time out during the Panthers’ opening-round sub-section match against Waseca, and told her players to concentrate on only one thing: the next point.
“We talked to the girls,” said Peterson. “And told them that they have to play and fight for one point at a time.”
It must have worked, because the Panthers bounced back from a lackluster showing in game one and rallied for a 3-1 triumph at New Richland last Thursday. The Bluejays won the first game 25-19 but the Panthers reeled off wins of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-22 to take it.
“We came into tonight playing stiff, almost like we were second-guessing everything,” said Peterson, whose team improved its record to 13-12.Bluejays senior middle hitter Kaitlyn Kummerfelt, whom Peterson called “a heck of a player,” gave the Panthers fits in the first game.
NRHEG created a fast lead in game two and, after a big Waseca run, held on to win.
“It gave us some momentum to push us into game three,” said Peterson.
The Panthers, seeded second in the south half of Section 2A, advanced to face third-seeded St. Peter Monday night at Mankato East. The winner there plays for the sub-section championship Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. at Minnesota State-Mankato. The Section 2A title match is Saturday, Nov. 7 at MSU.
NRHEG individual leaders against Waseca: Maddie Wagner 4 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace serve; Marnie Wagner 9 kills, 18 digs, 1 ace block; Abby Wacholz 8 kills, 7 digs, 3 ace blocks; Anna Lundberg 14 assists, 1 kill, 2 ace serves; Gretchen Ramaker 6 kills, 2 digs, 1 assist, 2 ace blocks; Rachel Collins 15 assists, 3 digs, 1 kill, 2 ace serves; Hailey Schuller 1 kill, 2 digs; Abby Christopherson 4 digs; Sophia Fischer 10 kills, 4 digs, 2 ace serves; Corrie Powell 4 digs.