By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
The NRHEG High School volleyball team dropped a 3-2 marathon match to Medford Tuesday, Sept. 19 in the Panthers' gym. The final tally in favor of the Tigers was 25-18, 14-25, 25-9, 25-18 and, in game five, 15-13.
"Unfortunately, we did not come out with the victory, but I was happy with what I was seeing on the court," said NRHEG coach Ashley Tolzman. "In four out of the five games, we were covering the court and the girls were pulling together and working as a team. I am proud of my team."
Individually for the Panthers: Gabby Schlaak 4 kills, 1 block, 17 digs; Camryn VanMaldeghem 6 kills, 5 blocks, 4 digs; Elsie Schultz 5 digs; Tayler Schmidt 7 kills, 1 block, 14 digs; Hallie Schultz 20 set assists, 1 kills, 5 blocks, 14 digs; Erin Peterson 2 digs; Keira Lenort 2 kills, 3 blocks, 2 digs; Madi Murray 2 kills, 2 blocks; Faith Neisen 34 digs.
The Panthers traveled to Wells Saturday, Sept. 23 for the USC Invitational, where they played some pretty good volleyball.
The locals dominated Blue Earth Area 2-0 in the opener, winning 25-12, 25-12. Then came a tough 2-0 loss to Minnesota Valley Lutheran, which defeated the Panthers 25-19, 25-22. The Panthers bounced back to beat USC 2-1, with game scores of 23-25, 27-25, 15-13. NRHEG dropped its final match 2-0 to Blooming Prairie. Game scores were 25-22, 25-21.
The Panthers, 2-2 in the Gopher Conference, ran their overall record to 5-5.
The Panthers played Tuesday, Sept. 26 against Tri-City United at New Richland. They host Blooming Prairie Sept. 28 and play Tuesday, Oct. 3 at Hayfield.