REACH - Sarah George goes high to make the play. Erin Jacobson watches on.
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The NRHEG Panther volleyball girls split two matches last week, and traveled to Kenyon Wanamingo Monday night.
The spikers opened the week traveling to Hayfield, losing three games to one in a competitive back and forth contest. Game one was the tightest of the games and saw the Panthers fall just short 29-27. The Panthers dropped game two 25-20, before rallying for a win in game three 25-17, but ultimately losing the match with a 25-19 defeat in game four.
“Tonight there was a lot of back and forth,” NRHEG coach Onika Peterson said. “Defensively they were so solid in the back row, constantly moving, and getting some great touches.”
Individually for the Panthers: Erin Jacobson, 6 kills, 9 digs, 1 assist, 1 ace block; Sophie Stork, 9 kills, 5 digs, 2 ace blocks; Bree Ihrke, 5 kills, 3 assists, 4 ace blocks; Hallie Schultz, 2 kills, 5 digs, 17 assists; Sarah George, 6 kills, 1 dig, 1 ace block; Rhys Martin, 3 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist, 2 ace blocks; Sidney Schultz, 1 kills, 18 digs, 2 assists; Faith Nielsen, 1 dig; Bailey Ihrke, 5 digs.
In a promising season thus far, it was rare to see the spikers drop a competitive set as they did against Hayfield. “I think overall we battled with a pretty good team,” coach Peterson explained. “We just had more errors than we could overcome tonight. We’re looking to bounce back better against JWP.”
On Thursday night the spikers hosted JWP at home, defeating the Bulldogs three games to none. Game scores were 25-17, 25-22, and 25-23. With the conference win, the girls see their overall record improve to 13-9-1, and conference record climb to 5-3.
“The girls came out strong after a tough loss to Hayfield,” coach Peterson remarked. “It was nice to see our offense running quicker than we have been. The girls were very aggressive at the net and had some big swings tonight from multiple hitters.”
Individually for the Panthers: Jacobson, 12 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace serve; Bree Ihrke, 8 kills, 1 assist, 2 digs, 3 ace blocks, 2 ace serves; Hallie Schultz, 1 kill, 27 assists, 1 ace block; George, 2 kills, 4 ace blocks; Martin 6 kills, 1 dig, 2 ace blocks; Bailey Ihrke, 4 kills, 8 digs, 2 ace blocks; Sidney Schultz, 16 digs; Grace Wilkenson, 1 ace serve; Nielsen, 2 digs.
On Monday night the Panthers lost to Kenyon Wanamingo. Thursday, Oct. 14, the Panthers host Medford for their annual senior night and cancer game. Tuesday, Oct. 19 the spikers travel to play Maple River.