FLOODWOOD— A COVID outbreak left the Nighthawks shorthanded, and it cost them in their regular season finale against Floodwood Monday night. The Polar Bears took it in straight sets, 25-19, 25-22, and 25-13.
“It was a tough way to end the season,” said Northeast Range Head Coach Jodi Reichensperger. “We were playing without our normal setter and shuffled people around, which did not bode well.”
The team’s normally crisp passing wasn’t apparent on Monday night and it showed in the stats as the ‘Hawks managed just 20 kills. Senior standout Hannah Reichensperger, who has been averaging 25-plus kills a night in recent games, struggled to reach 15 against the Bears.
Natalie Nelmark added five kills on the night.
The team posted a whopping 46 digs, but that total showed a team on the defensive most of the night. “When you look at the stat sheet and have way more digs than kills or even hitting attempts, that means trouble,” said Reichensperger.
Contributing to the dig total were Reichensperger, with 13, senior Erin Backe (12), freshman Danica Sundblad (11), and senior Audrey Anderson (10). Anderson also filled in as setter for freshman Maizy Sundblad, posting 20 assists. A Tuesday night game, that was previously scheduled to be the ‘Hawks final regular season match-up, was canceled, which left Northeast Range looking ahead to the post-season.
Despite the loss, the ‘Hawks wrapped up the regular season at 15-9, good for second seed in the Section 7A playoffs, which get underway on Monday. The ‘Hawks will have a first-round bye and will host their first playoff game on Wednesday.
‘Hawks top Mariners
The shorthanded ‘Hawks had more success against Silver Bay last Thursday, after they adjusted to a 25-20 first-set loss to take the next three sets 25-17, 25-13, and 25-21.
Senior Hannah Reichensperger had another huge night, posting 27 kills, 16 digs and eight blocked shots. “We were able to get our bearings and pull it together for the win,” said Nighthawks Head Coach Jodi Reichensperger.
Hannah had help from senior Natalie Nelmark, who posted eight kills, 17 digs and a block. Senior Erin Backe added 21 digs and two kills, while senior Thia Lossing added ten digs and two kills. Senior Audrey Anderson filled in as setter and posted 27 assists and nine digs.