The Rangely Panthers took their game on the road, playing Paonia and Hotchkiss over the weekend.
The young team came out strong Friday night, dominating the first game. 25-12. against the Bulldogs.
Coach Jimmie Mergleman said, “I am really proud of our young girls making big plays.”
Hotchkiss had big hitters, but freshmen Katelyn Brown and Sarah Connor shut them down. Brown led the team with four stuff blocks. Sophomore Katye Allred played extremely well, leading the hitters with seven kills from 26 attacks, followed by Brown and Lindsey Thacker with four kills each.
The Panthers kept their momentum, winning game No. 2, 25-22. Justyne Dembowski led the team in serving, attempting 23 times with only two errors. Dorris Antoinette had 18 serves and an impressive 18 assists in the match.
The team served an impressive 88 percent in the match, which went to five games after Hotchkiss battled back in game No. 3, winning 25-13, and game No. 4, winning 25-21.
The Panthers once again showed great character and impressive composure for a young team, winning game No. 5 by 15-5.
The team is exhibiting glimpses of top-notch play and learning to play at an extremely high level quickly, Mergleman said.
The Panthers played Paonia on Saturday, testing their confidence early as the Eagles won game No. 1, 25-15, and game No. 2, 25-11.
However, the Panthers did not quit. They came back to give Paonia all they could handle in game No. 3. They came up short in the game but grew from experience and left knowing they can play with the best in the league.
Coach Mergleman said, “If we would play the way we did in the third game, for the entire match, things would be different.”
Simone Heinle led the teams in digs in the match, and the team served 82 percent over all.
The Panthers play their first home game Friday against Plateau Valley and travel to Hayden on Saturday for two more league games.
