Maple River won the first game but were struggling early in Game 2 when coach Chris Swanson called timeout.

“We have to play every point like it’s match point,” Swanson said. “We seem to start games slowly, but we have to maintain intensity from point 1 to point 25. We seem to like being a come-from-behind team.”

Maple River (17-9) wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 nonconference victory over New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva on Monday. Game scores were 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.

The Section 2AA seedings come out on Wednesday, and Swanson is hoping for a high enough seed to get a home game when the tournament begins next week. Monday’s victory over the Panthers (14-6-3) should help.

“Our schedule’s been getting tougher, and I think that’s helping us prepare for the playoffs,” Swanson said.

The first game was close throughout, though NRHEG’s only lead came at 17-16. A 7-1 run, highlighted by two blocks and a kill from McKenzie Sohre, put the Eagles up 23-18, and Delaney Surdy finished it off with two kills.

NRHEG made a six-point run, with Bryanna Anthony serving five points, including an ace, to go up 12-5 when Swanson used a timeout. The Eagles responded with an 8-1 run, with Cassie Reinke serving an ace and Bridget Trio getting two.

“We served aggressively,” Swanson said. “They weren’t able to get into their offense like I’ve seen them do.”

The Panthers went back up 18-13, but Maple River rallied again. A kill and a block by McKenzie Sohre capped a 9-3 run that put the Eagles up 22-21. After NRHEG scored the next two points, one on a block by Alyssa Hagen, Maple River scored the final three points, including a block and kill by Brandi Springer to finish the game.

Maple River jumped ahead 7-2 and 12-6 in the third game. An ace serve by Marcie Woitas and two by Susan Uhrich bumped the lead to 17-8. McKenzie Sohre had two kills, and Springer finished the match with a kill at 25-19.

Surdy and Jill Sohre each had eight kills to pace Maple River’s offense. Springer had seven, and McKenzie Sohre and Trio each had six, showing the balance the Eagles have had all season.

“We try to move the ball around,” Swanson said. “It keeps the defense on its toes.”

Reinke had 22 assists, while Woitas made 19 digs and Trio had 12.

Anna Schlaak made nine kills for NRHEG, and Hagen had seven kills and three blocks.

NRHEG plays today at Martin County West.