by Laura Monico, social media editor

As the volleyball season comes to an end, the Lady Panthers have redeemed themselves after winning only three games in the 2016 season.  The girls finished Region 3 play with a record of 7-7 this year.

Halfway through the season, Coach Tim Houck had playoff aspirations for the team.  “If we beat the teams we should, we have a good chance at making it. After we make the playoffs, anything can happen,” Houck said.Senior middle and outside hitter Haley Hess also has her mind set on going far in the playoffs. “We need to come with our A game. We need to stick together and play as a team,” Hess said.

The ladies knew coming into this season that Cambridge, Maplewood, and Cochranton were going to be tough to beat, so they had their targets set on defeating Union City and Seneca. They knew wins against these two teams throughout the season would be crucial in achieving their goals. Although they fell to Seneca earlier this season, they redeemed themselves in a convincing series win against the Bobcats. The Panthers defeated Union City twice throughout the season.

The SHS student body has also been making an attempt to help the team in their playoff run. “Our volleyball team is amazing. They are athletic and talented. However, I feel like our superfanning section has no school spirit at times. If more people would stand and cheer it would be more beneficial to the team,” said senior superfan Colton Beck. Hess agrees that if the students who do attend the games would stand up and cheer, the ladies would reap the benefits.

The Panthers will be taking on the Iroquois Braves in the first round of playoffs. Junior setter and captain Carlie Schlosser said,  “We already swept them. We played fairly well but I think they were missing one of their main hitters.” Junior Mikayla Balog has high hopes for the team as well. “We plant to work hard and play well,” Balog said. 

The Lady Panthers will be in action tomorrow night, Oct. 26, at Saegertown High School at 7:30 p.m.