Lady Panthers bounce back

The Lady Panthers got back into their winning stride Saturday with a three-match volleyball victory against Wyoming Indian’s Lady Chiefs.

The three-way home-game win was reminiscent of the Panthers’ attack against HEM the previous Saturday, and quite welcome after Friday’s game against Southeast, in which Saratoga lost 12-25 and 18-25. For Saturday’s game, however, the Lady Panthers beat the Chiefs 26-24, 25-17 and 25-13, even after two close calls in the first two matches.

There was a 10-0 Panther lead at the beginning of the game, but the Lady Chiefs managed to tie or take over by a point or two later in the first two matches. Saratoga eventually fought back hard with scoring in both matches, and owned the third match.

Coach Shayley Love said she was not worried and knew her team could bounce back and end each match on a winning note.

“I was not surprised, the girls knew what had to be done to finish the game,” she said. “It felt good because we talked about not having mental lapses. They were able to recover and take control of the match.”

Love said having enough focus was the key to pulling through over the Lady Chiefs, whom she said is an improving team that knew how to put up a good fight.

“It’s always great to have confidence, but we also have to be focused,” she said. “That is why we were successful on Saturday. Wyoming Indian is improving and I think they will have a great program in the future.”

Key players included Shelby McGuire, who served 31 for 31 and pulled in four aces, four kills, 13 assists and 16 digs, and Heather Oxford, who served 16 for 16 and three aces, 11 kills, one block and 17 digs. The JV Panthers also came back winning 25-20 and 25-13 Saturday, after losing 5-25 and 23-25 against Southeast’s JV Lady Cyclones.

Love said she was happy to see both teams rebound Saturday after two losses the day before.

“They were definitely not our best games,” she said. “I think Southeast shocked us a bit by how much they have improved, and we just didn’t mentally focus and play our best defense. The whole JV is also improving, and I feel they are doing a great job of getting better each time they step on the floor.”

The Lady Panthers played Encampment Lady Tigers Tuesday night. Scores were unavailable as of press time.

Friday, the Panthers travel to Burns to play the Lady Broncs.

Varsity Stats

@ Southeast Sept. 13

12-15, 18-25

Shelby McGuire: served 10 for 10, 1 ace, 12 assists, 16 digs

Veronica Lincoln: served 5 for 6, 2 aces, 12 digs

Heather Oxford: served 9 for 10, 1 ace, 8 kills, 4 blocks, 17 digs

Mati Love: served 4 for 6, 5 kills, 13 assists, 4 digs

Nikki Pacheco: served 10 for 11, 1 kill, 3 assists, 5 digs

Haley Soles: served 3 for 4, 1 kill, 13 digs

Vs. Wyoming Indian Sept. 14

26-24, 25-17, 25-13

Shelby McGuire: served 31 for 31, 4 aces, 4 kills, 13 assists, 16 digs

Veronica Lincoln: served 3 for 4, 13 digs

Heather Oxford: served 16 for 16, 3 aces, 11 kills, 1 block, 17 digs

Kelsie Samson: 2 kills, 2 digs

Mati Love: served 10 for 13, 1 ace, 6 kills, 3 assists, 7 digs

Nikki Pacheco: served 13 for 14, 1 ace, 2 assists, 8 digs

Haley Soles: served 4 for 4, 3 kills, 12 digs