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New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva outside hitter Anna Schlaak prepares for a spike Monday against Blue Earth in New Richland. The Panthers dismissed the Buccaneers in three sets with a 25-20, 25-13, 25-13 victory to advance to the 2AA subsection title game.

Prime time Panthers

By Nick Gerhardt | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Monday, November 2, 2009

Video

Blue Earth traveled to New Richland to take on NRHEG in a section playoff game. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers: 25-20, 25-13, 25-13. Watch »

Photo by Nick Gerhardt

NRHEG’s Jill Kalis watches her tip sail over the net against Blue Earth Monday in New Richland. The Panthers won in three sets and will face No. 1 seed LeSueur-Henderson in the subsection title game Thursday at Gustavus Adolphus College.

NEW RICHLAND — New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva head volleyball coach Jackie Schultz doesn’t like to call timeouts during the match, so when she did in the first set against Blue Earth Monday in the 2AA subsection semifinals her team got the message.

The Buccaneers (15-12) were up 16-12 when Schultz called the timeout and were in the midst of a 16-6 run. Blue Earth had grabbed the momentum of the set from the Panthers (23-7), who started on a 6-0 run and the timeout served as a wake-up call to the team.

“It was the longest timeout that she’s ever had with us,” said sophomore outside hitter Anna Schlaak. “Normally they’re like 15 seconds and we’re back out.”

A recharged NRHEG squad responded with a 13-4 run to close out the first set for a 25-20 victory and went on to play some of its best volleyball of the season for 25-13 victories in the second and third sets to advance to the subsection title game against No. 1 seed LeSueur-Henderson Thursday at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

“It’s a goal we really didn’t talk about, but I know it’s in the back of their minds the whole year,” Schultz said of reaching the subsection title match. “All you ever want is for your team to have an opportunity.”

The postseason has given the Panthers the chance to showcase their talent and in successive games NRHEG has performed better than the previous match.

The desire and urgency Schultz has been seeking from her team all season has started to show and the come-from-behind first set victory was evidence.

“The girls played well,” Schultz said. “This is as well as they have played all year. Exactly what you’re hoping for at postseason time.”

After rallying in the first set the Panthers flourished in the final two sets.

NRHEG jumped out to a 15-3 start and fended off a late rally by Blue Earth for a 25-13 victory.

Alyssa Hagen, who went 21 for 21 serving with 15 points, served seven consecutive points in the third set for a 25-13 victory and Schlaak, who finished with a team-high 20 kills, also caught fire in the final set, tallying seven kills.

“The way she came on game three it was like don’t make her mad because she’s going to hit harder,” Schultz said of Schlaak. “That’s exactly what she did. It was good to see her finish the way she did.”

Kacie Phillips led the team with 34 assists and also went 21 for 21 from the service line for 16 points. NRHEG missed one serve the entire night.

It’s the first time since 2004 that the Panthers have reached the subsection championship game. NRHEG fell in four to Kasson-Mantorville that year.

“I know some girls aren’t ready for it to end now,” Schultz said.

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