The Lady Panthers of Alba-Golden came home from Fruitvale with a five-set win last Friday: 18-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-20, 15-9.

The lengthy match was close from the opening point to the closing serve, with plenty of long volleys.

The Lady Panthers were at risk at Fruitvale of falling into the game played by the hosts.

It can come to pass that a team alters its identity in order to beat an opponent at their own game. 

For some time last Friday, it appeared as though that was what was happening.

However, as the match wore on, Alba-Golden reawakened its attacking nature and began to dictate the play. 

Eleven unforced errors plagued the Lady Panthers in the initial set. Those errors, combined with solid fundamentals from the Lady Bobcats, allowed the first set to slip away.

Predictably, it was an attacking offense which took the second set.

Alba-Golden received offensive points from every player on the floor and evened the match.

The sides then traded sets – Fruitvale took the third set with a seven-point run.

Alba-Golden came back late in the fourth set and closed it out with two Lainey Teal kills and one Kalli Trimble kill.

As it should be, the short fifth set was the best volleyball of the night.

The Lady Panthers had to work hard to put the Lady Bobcats away.

Alyssa Murdock put forth some great effort in the backcourt in the final set.

Alba-Golden took the match on the strength of hustle and seven offensive scores. 

The Lady Panthers were swept by North Hopkins last Tuesday, 3-0.

The next opportunity to catch the Lady Panthers at home will be Tuesday, Oct. 17 vs. Cumby.