Lady Panthers head to State

The Saratoga Lady Panthers clawed into the 1A West Regional Volleyball Tournament over the weekend.

Traveling north to Lander, the Lady Panthers faced four separate teams and were able to advance to the state championships. The Lady Panthers first challenged the Burlington Lady Huskies and Little Snake River Lady Rattlers on Friday. On Saturday the Lady Panthers clashed with Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns as well as the Meteetseetse Lady Longhorns.

“We had a really great regional tournament overall I think. We are really starting to play to our fullest potential, which is what you want at this time in the season,” said Head Coach Shayley Love.

Burlington 

The Saratoga Lady Panthers played a fast three sets against the Burlington Lady Huskies.

“The girls had momentum the whole match,” said Love.

The Lady Panthers won the 1st set 25 -16. Saratoga had 21 total team kills led by Whitney Bennett with 12 kills. Winning the 2nd set 25-19 with 12 team aces, Saratoga dug into the 3rd set with 59 total team digs led by Bennett with 24 and Josie Little with 9. The Lady Panthers won the 3rd set 25-7 and advanced to the next match.

Little Snake River 

The Saratoga Lady Panthers also faced Little Snake Rivers’ Lady Rattlers on Friday. Playing three sets, the Lady Panthers scored 16 points in the 1st set finishing 25-16 to the Lady Rattlers. Saratoga’s Lady Panthers had 18 kills led by Olivia Everett with 6 kills. The Lady Rattlers took the 2nd set 25-22 as well as the 3rd set 25-23 winning the match. Saratoga had 5 total team aces led by Everrett and Little with 2 each and Makenna King with 1 ace. The Lady Panthers still dug their claws into the Lady Rattlers with 77 team digs in the match led by Bennett with 29, followed by King with 14 and Little with 10.

Farson-Eden

First thing Saturday morning, the Lady Panthers were matched up with Farson-Eden.

Playing a fast three sets Saratoga came with intensity. Scoring 25-19 in the 1st set the Lady Panthers slashed into the Lady Pronghorns with 31 team kills led by Bennett with 13 kills. The Lady Panthers scored 25-10 in the 2nd set with 10 overall team aces  led by Hanna Lathrop with 4 aces. Saratoga dug their teeth into the Lady Pronghorns with 56 team digs led by Bennett with 22 digs followed by Little with 11 digs. The Lady Panthers finished the match in the 3rd set winning 25-11.

Meeteetse

In their final game of the tournament, Saratoga battled the Lady Longhorns for a full five sets.

The 1st set would be the Lady Panthers to claim at 25-21. The Lady Longhorns would be quick to return the blow in the 2nd set winning 25-7. Saratoga would not be taken easily again, gaining ground in the 3rd set and winning 25-22. The 4th set would prove a 2 point difference taken by the Lady Longhorns 25-23.

So far the teams had each won two sets and the tie breaker was on in the 5th set. Saratoga had 33 kills led by Bennettt with 17. The Lady Panthers would score 4 team aces over the match, 2 by Little and 2 by Lathrop. To say the Lady Panther dug their teeth into the Meeteetse Lady Longhorns would be an understatement with 95 team digs. Bennett scored 25 digs followed closely by Little with 19 digs. Sadie Bangs and Lathrop both scored 16 digs each followed by King with 12. The 5th set would ultimately be the Lady Longhorns, winning 15-6. 

With the end of the 1A West Regional Volleyball Tournament the Saratoga Lady Panthers have a ticket to the state tournament.

“We are really excited, with a young team it will be a great experience at the state tournament. I’m so proud of our team learning to support each other and work as one unit. What this team can do together is a huge part of our success,” said Love.

The Saratoga Lady Panthers will begin the 1A State Volleyball Tournament facing the Southeast Lady Cyclone at 3 p.m. on November 4 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper.