Panther Volleyball Wins Thriller

Put-in-Bay Panther Volleyball team opens the season with a big win in a thrilling 5-set match. The scores were 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 12-25, 17-15.

The Panthers took the ferry and traveled to Toledo to play the Rogers Rams. After graduating three seniors, this year’s team is young and thin with only seven players. Coach Schuffenecker wasn’t sure what to expect in this game. “I told the girls to put our serves in play and communicate. In an early season game filled with learning experiences on both sides. the Panthers showed their youth and resolve.

The team came out ready to play and won a resounding first-set win. Ahead in the second game some youth showed as the team was up 17-11 with serve, but the Panthers could not find a way to finish out the set. “This showed our inexperience; we took our foot off the gas and allowed the Rams to gain the advantage,” said Coach Schuffneecker.

The Panthers got on track in the third game and took a 2-1 lead and the girls were challenged to start the fourth game fast. With their backs against the walls, the Rams went out to a 5-0 lead in the 4th set and easily won the set.  This set up the last game to 15.  The Panthers, down 14-13, found a way to fight back and then up 16-15.  Senior Lily Schweizer finished the game with a kill.

The win starts the team with a 1-0 record. Leading the team with 11 aces and 7 kills was Ava Heineman. Olivia Christensen recorded 10 aces and 3 kills. The team will play Friday in the Panther Pit versus Toledo Hornets at 11 a.m.

Come cheer on the girls and get your growl on!