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The MCS Panthers opened their 2010 volleyball season at home hosting the Cougars of Smithton in Cahokia Conference action Thursday night. The Panthers played hard and showed a great deal of hustle but came up short losing the match in just two games. Not only was it the season opener but it was also the Panthers first conference game. MCS Panthers volleyball coach Jenn Missey said, “Smithton is a good team for us to play first because I think we’re very comparable to them. They always have good teams and they’re well coached.”
The first game saw both teams playing hard and the score reflected that. The lead changed hands a few times early in the contest as both teams seemed to be adjusting to game play in their first contest of the season. But with the score tied 14-14 the Cougars went on a 7-1 run to win 21-15. Their scoring run was due in large part to excellent serving which kept the ball in the Panthers backcourt. The Panthers had difficulty moving the ball from their backcourt to the net helping the Cougars score and eventually win.
The second game was different in that the Panthers fell behind early, mostly due to their own mistakes. But the Panthers showed grit and determination fighting back in the second game. The Cougars built a 12-5 lead, but the Panthers outhustled the Cougars for a stretch and drew to within one point at 16-15. But the tide turned again as the Cougars finished with a 5-0 run to finish the game and win the game and match 21-15. However, with the Cougars serving game point the Panthers dug deep and just would not quit making the final point of the contest also the longest point of the match. Coach Missey said, “I think what killed us tonight was our serves. Besides that I thought we played pretty well, we set well, we covered the floor pretty well, we had some good hits and some good passes but the serves killed us.”
MCS students participating on the 8th Grade volleyball team this season are; Katie Caponi, Nikki Dunn, Anna Fishbein, Kirby Forbeck, Brittany Gallego, Danielle Hawthorne, Alyssa Laing, Taylor Randolph, Kiara Sears, Sarah Wessel and Kara Wirth. The Panthers are coached by Jenn Missey. Coach Missey said of her team, “Some of our girls have played a little bit in the off season, but for the most part our girls play just school ball. They’ve come in and worked really hard but because of our snow days we’ve only had eight practices before tonight’s game.”
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