photo by Nick Gerhardt

NRHEG’s Alyssa Hagen tips the ball over the net Thursday against Maple River in the Panthers’ first round matchup in the Section 2AA playoffs. NRHEG moved on to face Blue Earth Monday in New Richland.

Panthers start playoffs in dominating fashion

By Nick Gerhardt | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Thursday, October 29, 2009

NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball team rolled to an opening round victory over Maple River Thursday in New Richland as the Panthers begin a march through the Section 2AA playoffs.

NRHEG (21-6) entered the section tournament as the No. 2 seed in the south subsection and had little problem with the seventh-seeded Eagles (8-19) in a 25-19, 25-13, 25-14 victory.

The win was nearly identical to the Panthers' 25-21, 25-13, 25-15 victory that came a little more than two weeks ago and the NRHEG hitters were just as powerful as they were in that match.

Anna Schlaak had 19 kills and Alyssa Hagen had eight kills to lead the Panthers.

NRHEG setter Kacie Phillips led a diverse attack and found her hitters at all spots on the court, even mixing in a few tips to catch Maple River off guard. Phillips finished with 34 assists and added three kills.

"If we can get Kacie the ball at the net she's going to get it our hitters where they want it," said Panthers head coach Jackie Schultz. "We were really able to put them away tonight."

NRHEG was especially dangerous from the outside, hitting cross-court shots that the Eagles weren't able to stop.

"Anna and Hagen just read the court so well," Schultz said. "They see that block coming up, and I don't know how they do it sometimes, they find that hole over there."

The blocking, which had been outstanding in the last match, was tremendous once again. Jill Kalis led the team with 10 blocks, four for points and Alyssa Kerkhoff had four blocks that all went for points.

The Panthers move on to the second round to face No. 3 seed Blue Earth Monday in New Richland. The Buccaneers knocked off NRHEG in the section championship in girls' basketball last season and many of the same players are on the volleyball teams so there will certainly be a little revenge on the minds of the Panthers.

If NRHEG wins that match it would advance to the south subsection championship to face the winner of LeSueur-Henderson and Mankato East at Gustavus Adolphus College next Thursday for a chance to move to the section championship.

"We're getting down to crunch time to where every team we face from here on out is going to get tougher and tougher," Schultz said.

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