Swoosh

The JV Lady Panthers earned their first league win against Firebaugh today in three sets. It was touch and go from the start as the ten team roster was wracked with injuries, ranging from mysterious vial infections, and ankle busting accidents, was down to seven savvy volleyball stewards. Missing key middles for the contest, the JV Panthers fell behind quickly in the first set as they worked through the new lineup. They dropped the first set 15-25, to a fiery and fierce Firebaugh team. Freshman middle hitter, Ella Cornwell was sidelined the by an injury just hours earlier could not sit idley by and watch her beloved Panthers fall without a fight. "Coach" Cornwell entered the huddle and offered an impassioned plea that seem to awaken the mighty beast within each of her fellow teammates. First responded to the call was freshman outside hitter Brennah "Boomstik" Bronk. Brennah found a smooth serving rhythm that pushed the panthers to a 10-9 lead in the second set. Then sophomore setter Sarah "Thank you ma'am, May I have another." Johnson, went on a seven point service tear to push the lead to 19-10. The Panthers closed out the set, and on to the third. Firebaugh struggled to get any traction in the third set as the entire team moved with a sense of urgency and purpose only witnessed once this season. Sophomore middle hitter Alina "All In" Giapis led the charge with an impressive 8 digs in the set. Not normally a back-row player, Giapis patroled the back of the court like a coast guard cutter. She was equally impressive offensively as she led the team with 13 kills, two of them from behind the three meter line. Freshman outside hitter Rory "Ms. Utility" Xanders made the leap to middle and managed six kills, with half of them coming from the back-row. But it's never complete until Freshman opposite Alexa "Aces and Elbows" Schaerth, pushed the lead to 12-3 with a five point service run, that included two aces, and she led the team with 14 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Rae "of Sunshine" Friedman, said of A&E's performance, "Solid serving, but BB was really determined out there. Those two kills she got in the third set were, well, killer!" Sophomore outside hitter Jelaini "Just keep Swinging" Rhone-Collins commented. "It's always fun, we have to remember that no matter what happens in life, your volleyball family will always be there to back you up!"