There are a handful of days which can live on in the corporate memory of an athletic department. Last Friday was one of those at the Alba-Golden gym. The Lady Panthers swept the Como-Pickton Lady Eagles in a riveting match: 25-23, 29-27, 25-21.

To answer any naysayers – this was no “off day” by the Como-Pickton volleyball team. This was a young Alba-Golden team which played the best team volleyball witnessed yet this year. It was a phenomenal effort by the Lady Panthers which stretched from the opening point to match point.

Three weeks ago, the then state-ranked Como-Pickton Lady Eagles had dissected the Lady Panthers by sending them home in a straight-set defeat with a 11.5-point average margin of victory. Back in September, the Lady Panthers seemed intimidated by the Lady Eagles. 

Last Friday, Coach Jamie Webster’s charges came to the court with a composed confidence, a willingness to look past the previous point to the next one and an infectious energy.

“For the first time this year,” Webster acknowledged, “we fully exercised our whole offense, and we found how effective it can be.” Webster poured out her appreciation for the individual and team improvements this group of Lady Panthers have made this year.

“We have made some adjustments after the initial round of district play, and everyone has responded selflessly,” she beamed.

Great team performances are highlighted by great individual performances. Senior Cacie Lennon led the way with 11 kills, 4 drop shots, 3 blocks and 2 aces. The diminutive leaper challenged Como-Pickton’s tall middle blocker at every turn, with great effect. 

Teammates Kalli Trimble and Hailey Crutchfield joined Lennon at the net and forced the Lady Eagles to alter many of their scoring attempts. Rarely did a Como-Pickton kill shot go unchallenged.

Amid solid play by each of the Lady Panthers, the effort of senior Kamrin Wright also stood out. Recently moved into the normal rotation from the libero position, Wright was seemingly all over the court filling gaps and anticipating play.   

Late in the first set, with the Lady Panthers hovering a few points behind, it was a drop shot by Wright which kept the Lady Panthers within striking distance at 18-16.  A kill by Lainey Wright and a push shot by Lennon tied the game at 21. Skyler West gave Alba-Golden the set advantage with an ace, and a forced Como-Pickton error ended the first set.  

Solid defense, great hustle and a very strong set by Trimble and Crutchfield built an 8-point lead in the second set. The score was at set-point, 24-16. 

Como-Pickton proved that they were a quality side, by methodically running off nine points. At this point Lennon came alive again, scoring two kill shots and a drop shot. The Lady Panthers had persevered, taking a thriller, 29-27.

Alba-Golden took the lead in the third set in their first service turn. They maintained the lead throughout, opening an 8-point lead. The Lady Eagles used two 5-point runs to close the gap, but the home side found a way to keep two points clear.

The Lady Panthers have melded at just the right time and have already turned the tables on two opponents to whom they had fallen in the first round of district. 

After facing yet-ranked Cumby, the Lady Panthers host North Hopkins, Friday. Varsity game time is set for 4:30 p.m.