Volleyball season ends with loss in sub-section finals
It was a very good run for the NRHEG volleyball team.
But it ended Thursday, Nov. 5 in the sub-section finals.
The Panthers, seeded second in their sub-section, were swept by top-seeded Kenyon-Wanamingo at Minnesota State-Mankato, falling 25-18, 25-7, 25-12. The Panthers finished 14-13.
“In game one, we competed,” said Panthers coach Onika Peterson.
But they struggled with serve receive and digs in game two as Kenyon-Wanamingo went on an 11-0 run and won handily.
Still, Peterson was pleased with the effort — all season.“I couldn't have asked for a better team,” she said. “These girls showed up every day with a ton of energy, heart, and determination. This team cared about each other, always wanting the best for their teammates and wanting each other to succeed. They have set a huge precedent for our volleyball program.”
NRHEG leaders vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo: Maddie Wagner 2 digs; Marnie Wagner 2 kills, 10 digs; Abby Wacholz 3 kills, 1 dig, 2 ace blocks; Anna Lundberg 3 assists, 4 digs; Rachel Collins 5 assists, 3 digs; Grace Johns 6 digs; Gretchen Ramaker 1 kill, 1 dig; Hailey Schuller 3 kills, 2 digs; Abby Christopherson 5 digs; Sophie Fischer 2 digs, 1 ace block; Emily Eder 2 digs; Maci Surat 1 kill; Kaylie Camerer 1 ace block; Corrie Powell 6 digs.
Kenyon-Wanamingo went on to lose to Belle Plaine for the Section 2AA championship 25-21, 29-27, 25-21.
The Panthers reached the sub-section finals with a 3-0 victory over third-seeded St. Peter Monday, Nov. 2 at Mankato East High School. Game scores were 25-16 25-22, 26-24.
“I was very proud of the girls,” said Peterson. “They have had the 'fighter' mentality all season. When down in game two they fought back point by point, celebrating what went well and picking each other up after an error. This is a group of competitors.”
Individually: Maddie Wagner 3 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace block; Marnie Wagner 3 kills, 11 digs, 1 ace serve; Wacholz 5 kills, 5 digs, 1 ace serve, 1 ace block; Lundberg 6 assists, 7 digs, 1 ace serve; Ramaker 1 kill, 3 digs; Collins 9 assists, 10 digs; Schuller 4 kills, 3 digs, 1 ace block; Johns 8 digs; Christopherson 5 digs; Fischer 5 kills, 3 digs, 3 ace serves, 1 ace block; Powell 7 digs.
The Panthers will graduate seniors Wacholz, Lundberg, Schuller, Christopherson, Fischer, Eder and Powell.