By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The NRHEG Volleyball team continued its successful season against USC prior to running into a wall at Faribault Bethlehem Academy Thursday.
The Panther’s defeated USC three games to none. Game scores were 25-14, 25-12 and 25-18. The tempo was fast and so were the games.
“Our passing tonight was huge,” NRHEG Head Coach Onika Peterson said. “With our passing being on target, our setter did not have to move all over the court to set up our hitters. It allowed us to run a quicker tempo offense keeping the other team out of system defensively.”
With the win, the Panthers improved to 7-3.
Individually for the Panthers: Erin Jacobson 6 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace block; Sophie Stork 10 kills, 1 dig; Bree Ihrke 5 kills, 1 ace serve, 1 dig, 2 ace blocks; Hallie Schultz 30 assists, 2 kills, 1 dig, 3 ace serves, 1 ace block; Sarah George 6 kills, 2 ace blocks; Rhys Martin 3 kills, 4 ace serves, 2 ace blocks; Sidney Schultz 7 digs.
The Panthers traveled to play at Faribault, Thursday, Sept. 23, losing three games to none. Game scores were 25-15, 25-18, and 25-10.
“Faribault BA is a very good team,” Coach Peterson said. “They served aggressively, were solid on defense, and had some great hitters.”
Alternatively the Panthers, uncharacteristically, couldn’t muster much offense on the night.
“We struggled to get going in the first set,” Coach Peterson explained. “We put ourselves into too big of a hole to climb out of.”
At one point in the first set, the Panthers were down by ten. Simply trading points with the Cardinals the rest of the way wasn’t enough.
Back and forth scoring with the Cardinals gave the Panthers some good momentum going into the second set, but it wasn’t enough.
“In the second set we passed the ball more consistently and we were able to attack them offensively,” Coach Peterson said. “But we fell short. And in set three we could never get going.”
Individually for the Panthers: Erin Jacobson 5 kills, 5 digs, 1 assist; Sophie Stork 9 kills, 3 digs; Bree Ihrke 2 digs; Hallie Schultz 14 assists, 4 digs, 1 ace serve; Sarah George 1 kill, 1 assist, 1 ace block; Rhys Martin 3 kills, 1 ace block, 1 ace serve; Bailey Ihrke 2 digs; Sidney Schultz 6 digs.
It wasn’t the Panthers night Thursday. Looking to rebound, the lady spikers prepared for a weekend tournament at USC, Saturday, Sept. 25. “We are looking to have a great day Saturday,” said Coach Peterson.
The Panthers did, in fact, have a great day Saturday, winning three of four matches.
The Panthers opened the tournament with a two games to zero win against USC. The rebels did all they could to avenge their loss earlier in the week, fighting for every point, but ultimately losing game one, 25-22. In game two, the Panther set the tone for the day, winning 25-15.
In round two the Panthers defeated Blue Earth two games to none. Game scores continued to swing heavily in favor of the Panthers; 25-19 and 25-16.
Round three saw the end of the Panthers win streak. The spikers fought valiantly, losing game one 25-23 and winning game two 25-19. In the third and decisive game, the Panthers fell 15-11.
In the closing round, the Panthers finished their rewarding day in exciting fashion, defeating Martin Luther-GHEC-Truman in two close games, 30-28 and 25-22.
Up next the spikers host Blooming Prairie Thursday, Sept. 30. The girls turn around and play Martin Luther-GHEC-Truman the next night at home before traveling to Tri City United for a Saturday tournament Oct. 2.