Mobile, AL. -- The Panthers opened up the day against NCAA D2 Spring Hill College. This was a match of marked progress for the Panthers. SHC is a fine team that takes this sport very seriously. It was a great opportunity for PC to step up and compete, and love the challenge. The goal for the day was to play the best beach ball of their lives, and the best yet with their partners. Every team achieved just that. The #6 crew of Zoe Mahler and Laura Cluthe set the bar high as the first Panthers to take the court. Their defense and resolve was wonderful, and they did not go down without a fight. It was by far the best match for that duo. Most of the other teams had at least one game that they kept close or held the lead on, and the women really demanded progress and execution today. The Panthers were unable to grab a game against SHC, but Coach Fairbanks and Sprague couldn't have been more proud. The past few days of two-a-day practices has really helped the team with their feel of the ball, an increased IQ, and the resolve to get physical in competition and not let the other team out-grit them. Success again!!
The second match of the day was against NAIA University of Mobile, and the Panthers won their first team match 3-2 over Mobile. The wins came from #2s Cha Cha Fisher and Devon Marunde, #3s Sophia Hathaway and Noelle Shoemake, and the #4s Makena Patterson and Victoria Vandiver. The #2s played an exciting match winning game one, but losing momentum and game two. Fisher and Marunde jumped out to an early lead in game 3, only to be chased and the margin narrowed. It was touch and go, but the Panthers really held firm winning game three. Hathaway and Shoemake figured things out as their match went on, and were able to keep control pretty much the whole match. The duo had to cover some ground as their opponents were running them around, but Shoemake's ability to cover the back court, and Hathaway's smart offense came together for the win. Patterson and Vandiver proved to be a strong matchup for SHC, and their solid serving, ball control and offense really gelled today. Patterson was masterful with her shots! All of the other teams were right there – when they were in system, they scored, but too many unforced errors - serve, serve receive and hitting kept the Panthers from winning at the other rankings.
