Elsah, ILL. — The Principia Panthers traveled to Louisville, KY for their first conference matches of the season, hoping to start off with a couple of wins. Despite solid effort from the team, the Panthers couldn't put it all together and left with losses to both Spalding and Blackburn.
A Look at the Matches:
Principia started the day playing catch up against Spalding, who jumped out to a commanding 17-8 lead. Prin rallied and shored up their ball control a bit, and was able to be competitive, but Spalding was always in the driver's seat. Principia progressed each game of the match scoring more points per game and getting a little traction offensively.
In the next match against Blackburn, both teams showed some grittiness and were willing to keep the rally going, patiently working to outlast each other for points. Principia was fast out of the gates this time, winning game one 25-22. Game two was all Blackburn. Game three had both teams scrambling to earn a little spread, and Principia got it in the end 25-20. Game four and five were fights, with many lead changes, but Blackburn grabbed the victory.
Good to Know:
-In the first match Spalding out-hit Principia .298 - .163, and served Principia tough posting 11 aces. The Panthers worked hard to reel their ball control in, in order to start their offensive engine. The Panther kills were nicely spread out between
Nikki Matters,
Jessica Bayne,
Mesa Goebel and
Sarah Ungerleider.
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Devon Marunde played tough defense, leading the Panthers with 12 digs.
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Nikki Matters was tough from the service line with 3 aces and 0 errors.
-In the second match against Blackburn, quarterback
Devon Marunde moved the ball around well, and we got 18 kills from Bayne, 11 from Matters, with our middle
Mesa Goebel leading the efficiency hitting .250 and
Sarah Ungerleider .170.
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Greer Sprague had a great defensive outing with 15 digs and 3 aces (100%).
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Nikki Matters continued her defensive intensity picking up 27 digs and
Jessica Bayne tallied 35, with
Amanda Roberts picking up 21.
Next up:
Principia hosts Eureka College this coming Tuesday in Hay Field House!
