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By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
The NRHEG High School volleyball team enjoyed a more-than-respectable 21-7 overall record last season under first-year head coach Ashley Tolzman.
What's in store for this fall? Hopefully, more of the same.
While the Panthers lost some outstanding athletes to graduation, Tolzman has three experienced seniors to build around: setter Hallie Schultz, outside hitter Tayler Schmidt and libero Faith Neilsen.
"Hallie is a key player because she has such a great understanding of the game of volleyball," said Tolzman. "She has the ability to read the court really well and make good decisions. She is a great leader and a positive teammate."
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By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
Last year, for the first time in head football coach Marc Kruger's five years at NRHEG High School, his career record dropped below the .500 mark.
Can the Panthers swing it the other way this fall?
With a number of talented returning lettermen, including their starting quarterback, it does appear within the realm of possibility.
"Having our quarterback return will be huge," said Kruger.
That quarterback, Alden Dobberstein finished among the top 50 in the state in passing yards last season. And he's only a junior.
"We will look to him a lot," said Kruger.
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Schultz releases stats from her final season as NRHEG coach
By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
Coach Wendy Schultz has released statistics for the 2023 NRHEG High School softball team, her 25th and final year as head coach.
It was a year of offense for the Panthers, who piled up plenty of impressive numbers while finishing 9-8 overall.
Sidney Schultz, daughter of Coach Schultz, led the Panthers in a number of categories in her senior season, batting .508, with an on-base percentage of .561, slugging percentage of .576, and OPS (on-base and slugging percentage) of 1.137. Schultz led NRHEG with 30 hits and 25 runs batted in. She stole 24 bases, scored 12 runs and paced the Panthers' with a fielding percentage of .919.
Junior Faith Nielsen emerged as a key component for the Panthers both offensively and defensively. She hit .375 with an OPS of 1.049, with 21 hits, seven doubles, two triples and 24 RBIs. As a pitcher, she finished 9-7 with an ERA of 3.86, striking out 71 and walking 34 in 90.2 innings.
Freshman Camryn VanMaldeghem was also extremely productive, batting .483 with 28 hits, three doubles, two triples, 23 runs and 16 RBIs with OPS of 1.211.
Isabel Stadheim, a junior, hit .415 with an OPS of .945, with 27 stolen bases and a team-high 13 walks.
Sophomore Aryanna Howe batted .394, with an OPS of .899.
Preslie Nielsen, a junior, hit .357
with 20 hits, 17 runs and 13 RBI. Her OPS was .812.
Junior Hallie Schultz, Coach Schultz's niece, compiled a batting average of .340 and an OPS of .822, with 18 hits, 18 runs and 13 RBIs.
Junior Bree Ihrke hit .321 with 18 hits, 18 runs and 12 RBIs.
Addy Stadheim, a freshman, regularly earned the praise of Coach Schultz for her defensive performance at catcher. She batted .286.
The rest of the roster included senior Trinity Smith Vulcan, juniors Erin Peterson, Elsie Schultz and Tayler Schmidt, and Aspen Stenzel.
As a team, the Panthers batted .377 with an OPS of .896.
During the season, Coach Schultz registered her 300th career softball victory.
Season awards:
• Golden Glove - Addy Stadheim
• Golden Bat - Vanmaldeghem
• Most Improved - Addy Stadheim
• Oil Can - Preslie Nielsen
• MVP - Faith Nielsen and Sidney Schultz
• All-Conference - Sidney Schultz, Faith Nielsen
• All-Conference Honorable Mention - Addy Stadheim
• All-Conference Sportsmanship Award - Ihrke
• All-Section - Sidney Schultz
• All-State Honorable Mention - Sidney Schultz
• Captains - Ihrke, Sidney Schultz, Hallie Schultz