HAYFIELD &045; The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers had their opportunities.

The Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights have Megan Wendorff.

Wendorff was the difference.

One of tallest and most talented players in the region, Wendorff was a force all night as the Panthers saw their season end with a 3-0 loss to Kenyon-Wanamingo in a Sub-section 2A East semifinal match at Hayfield Saturday. Game scores were 5-8, 15-12, 15-11.

The loss ended the season for the Panthers, who finished 22-4.

&uot;We had our opportunities,&uot; said NRHEG coach Jackie Schultz. &uot;But when (Wendorff) was in the front row we couldn’t do a whole lot. She blocked well, hit well &045; even out of the back row. She attacked well. She’s a nice player.&uot;

The Panthers started strong in game two while taking a 12-4 lead. But, with Wendorff in the back row, the Panthers failed on three of four service attempts &045; their only three serving errors all night &045; and the Knights scored each time to catch up and take the momentum.

NRHEG trailed from the start in game three.

The Panthers served 96 percent, 73-for-76 with seven aces, while K-W was 90 percent at 78-for-87 with four aces.

NRHEG’s individual leaders: Emily Hagen 17-for-17 serving, two aces, nine points, 10 kills, 17-for-22 serve receive; Erin Anderson 12-for-12, 29 set assists; Chelsy Quiram 12-for-13, seven points, six blocks, 13 digs, 14-for-16 serve receive; Kalisha Anthony 10-for-10, eight kills; 13 blocks, seven digs, 10-for-12 serve receive; Camille Kyte 11-for-12, six points, seven kills, six blocks, 13 digs; Nicole Lonning 6-for-6; Emily Horan 5-for-6.

&uot;We played well and had a lot of good plays,&uot; said Schultz. &uot;As I said, we had our opportunities. Our game can’t negate the fact that we went 22-4 this year. We had a great season.&uot;