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EFFORT - Sophie Stork reaches high for the return.
Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak
In their second to last match of the year, the Panthers hosted Medford on Senior night, falling to the Tigers three games to none. Game scores were 25-18, 25-16, and 25-12.
“We fought hard all night,” NRHEG Coach Onika Peterson said. “The girls never got down and continued to battle and claw their way back. We put ourselves in a couple holes that we never were able to climb all the way out of.”
The Panthers struggled from the beginning. They struggled on the back and forth, on serve and receive to start the game, and their blockers couldn’t get good touches on their hits. As the night went on, the girls improved, but it wasn’t enough.
The Panthers celebrated two seniors, Rhys Martin and Sophie Stork. This is what Coach Peterson had to say regarding the volleyball seniors: “We appreciate all of their effort, time, dedication, and hard work that they have put into the Panther volleyball program. We appreciate their leadership on the court as well as in the classroom. We wish them nothing but the best and know that they will succeed in whatever they choose to do.”
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READY - Tyrone Wilson prepares to take the snap from Ben Schoenrock.
Photos by Chris Schlaak
The game was close, until it wasn’t. Poor defense and inability to stop the run cost the NRHEG Panthers, as they lost to Blooming Prairie 42-20 on the road Friday.
The defending state champions proved to be a worthy opponent, and one NRHEG Head Coach Marc Kruger hopes the Panthers get another crack at them again.
“Just too many mistakes in the second half cost us,” Coach Kruger said. “We are looking forward to another shot at them, potentially in the playoffs.”
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Blossoms struck first on a 17-yard pass play from Drew Kittleson to Samuel Skillestad.
On the next possession, the Panthers responded with a touchdown of their own on a 15-yard pass from Junior quarterback Charlie Nissen, making his third start, to Junior running back Andrew Phillips.
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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.