Eagles fall

victim to

NHREG

By BENJAMIN TOMCZAK

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- They will absolutely drive you crazy. Unforced errors, that is.

Leading 8-1 in the fourth game against New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, the New Ulm Eagles proceeded to commit 10 unforced errors resulting in Panther points and fell 15-12 to end a tough, tough loss, 15-11, 9-15, 15-6, 15-12.

"That was really the story of our night," Eagle coach Paul Meyer commented on the collapse and errors in game four. "We got back on our heels, had passes we should have made and didn't, gave them a chance to take the momentum and they took it."

The Eagles (5-22, 1-5) came into Thursday's non-conference match high off of a victory over Hutchinson Tuesday, but were unable to capitalize on the momentum against the Panthers (17-6, 10-2).

The Eagles grabbed an 8-6 lead in the first game behind the front-row play of senior Tiffany Altmann, and even led 11-9 before three Eagle errors turned the tide and a crucial service series by the Panthers' Kelli Schlaak put the Panthers up 14-11. Schlaak finished perfect from the service line, scored 13 service points, totaled 11 kills and had 11 digs.

"Kelli just knows where to put the ball," Panther coach Jackie Schultz said, "I don't have to tell her where to put it at all, she'll pick out her spots."

New Ulm surged back in the second game leaping out to a 10-5 lead on the way to a 15-9 win. The key to game two was Tiffany Drill. The junior outside hitter scored seven of the service points and had numerous blocks and kills throughout.

"Tiffany's really stepped up her game in the last couple of weeks," Meyer said about Drill. "She's a big blocker on the right side, and probably was THE key to winning game two."

Game three started out much like the first two, with neither team being able to gain any kind of control until Amy Sack and Missy Horan stepped up to serve for the Panthers. The two combined for five service points in the rally pushing a 2-2 tie to a 7-2 bulge. Horan had two big aces in her stretch.

Horan also totaled 24 set assists on the night. Sack had 10 digs for the Panthers.

The Eagles' Jodi Schmidt and Altmann did everything they could to keep the Eagles close, notching up one side out after another. Schmidt led the Eagles with 15 kills and Altmann tallied 14.

But the Eagles were not able to capitalize on any number of volleys, and Schlaak put them away again with four big serves and an ace.

"We've been pointing our fingers at the offense lately, but tonight they did a good job. We had some good swings tonight and our offense was playing well. But we should have finished more of those volleys," Meyer commented.

The Eagles offense was hurt by the loss of their top hitter -- Carly Dirlam, benched due to knee surgery.

"Anytime you lose a number one, you lose that plus," Meyer commented.

Amanda Paa opened the fourth game serving for the Eagles and spotted them a 6-0 lead, helped out by some timely kills and blocks from Christina Smith. Paa finished the night with 48 set assists, 12 service points and was perfect behind the line.

But it was the curse of the unforced error that did the Eagles in. The Panthers' big hitter, senior Amanda Hullopeter drew NRHEG to within two at 8-6, capitalizing upon three unforced Eagle errors. Hullopeter led the Panthers with 13 kills and also had 13 digs.

Then it was Schlaak again.

"I put Kelli back in the game, and made a substitution in our back row in hopes of sparking some momentum," Schultz said.

And it worked. Schlaak provided another ace and put the Panthers up 14-10 and it remained only for junior middle hitter Elizabeth Schultz to end the evening with the game's last kill.

"We were pretty evenly matched teams," Schultz said, "It took a long time for anyone to score and we never really had any good rallies. New Ulm is just so scrappy. Anytime we set up our big hitter (Hullopeter) we were thinking, 'We got it,' but they kept picking it up."

Most of that Eagle defense came from the arms of Allison Boddy who provided 48 digs, and was also perfect serving, with seven service points and an ace. Steph Navara also had 19 digs for the Eagles.

Both teams are getting ready for the playoffs. New Ulm will be hosting Hutchinson Monday.

"We're not going to look at next year yet," Meyer said. "We can come back on Monday, we happen to be at home and we're going to focus on that."

NRHEG will be playing at home Thursday taking on Kenyon-Wanamingo.

The Eagle B-squad won 16-14, 15-9, 16-18.