Box Score Elsah, ILL. -- Another five game match! Game one was like clockwork – a simple 25-19 win with 10 kills and only 1 error. Game two was just the opposite with Prin losing 19-25 and committing 8 hitting errors. The Panthers were chasing Mac the whole game, but every time they would gain a little ground the Highlanders would dig in and maintain control. What a crazy game volleyball is. The Panthers led the entire game three and ended it with a decisive 25-16 romp, even with a very uncharacteristic 5 missed serves. Game four was a battle with the lead changing hands several times. Both teams were hitting the ball hard and trying to defend each other's power. Mac worked themselves into a position of control at 22-16, but the Panthers refused to roll over and die. They fought ! 17-23, 18-23, 19-23, 20-23, 21-23, 22-23, and then an unforced error and a Highlander block ended the run with game four going to Mac. Game five had MacMurray in the driver's seat until Prin tied it up 10-10. The Panthers played smart and kept the ball flying and Mac didn't, and that was the difference as the Panthers pulled out a somewhat ugly, but beautifully fought victory.
The Panthers served up 7 aces with
Sierra Sprague and
Emma Herman each posting two. The Principia passers were on it, with libero
Mia Gill leading the way passing 2.8 (3.0). Gill and Sprague were busy in the back row each picking up a career high 32 and 30 digs respectively. Sierra added a solo block, as did
Molly Moser, and
Noelle Shoemake,
Emily Tippetts,
Emma Herman and
Sara Stephenson each earned block assists. The Panther offense was tight with only 9% error on 178 swings. Molly and
Sophia Hathaway put down 12 and 14 kills, and Noelle (.235) and Sierra (.226) led the Panthers in slugging percentage.
The Panthers play Lewis and Clark to start the Homecoming weekend off Thursday at 7pm – come on down to Hay to cheer them on. There will be free t-shirts!
