NEW RICHLAND &045; After hosting Bethlehem Academy, NRHEG volleyball coach Jackie Schultz had two questions about the team tied atop the Associated Press Class A state volleyball poll.

&uot;I would like to know who can beat them,&uot; said Schultz. &uot;But not only who can &045; how?&uot;

The Panthers gave it their best shot Thursday night and lost 3-0, falling 25-12, 25-21 and 25-13 at New Richland.

&uot;We started out competitive, but as soon as BA kicked it in a little, we seemed to go right into a shell,&uot; said Schultz, whose team fell to 3-1 in the Gopher Conference and 9-2 overall. &uot;We had a lot of nice individual efforts at times, but it was difficult to put the whole package together. BA is a finely tuned machine.&uot;

The Panthers’ statistical leaders: Emily Hagen five kills, 9-for-9 serving, four blocks, 11 digs; Brandis Hagen four kills, seven digs; Kalisha Anthony four kills; Chelsy Quiram five blocks, eight digs; Erin Anderson 15 set assists; Andrea Perkins 10-for-10 serving, four digs; Alison Anderson three blocks; Mackensie Tappe three blocks.

&uot;We served 100 percent as a team,&uot; said Schultz. &uot;We didn’t give them too many points. They earned them.&uot;

The Panthers hosted USC Tuesday and won 3-1 &045; 25-9, 25-13, 24-26, 25-22.

The leaders: Erin Anderson 11-for-12 serving, five points, 30 assists; Emily Hagen seven kills, 13-for-13, 10 points, five digs; Brandis Hagen five kills, 10-for-10, six points, six digs; Anthony five kills, three blocks, 8-for-8, four points; Alison Anderson five kills; Quiram three kills, 20-for-22 serving, three blocks; Laura Hager four kills; Mollie Flor three kills.

The Panthers play a Gopher Conference match at Blooming Prairie Tuesday.