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PREP VOLLEYBALL: Panthers top MACCRAY for Camden Conference crown

Photo courtesy of Greg Devereaux Members of the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton volleyball team celebrate with the Camden Conference plaque after defeating MACCRAY 3-1 on Monday.

TRACY – The Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers played their way through a tough four sets against the MACCRAY Wolverines to become the Camden Conference season champions with a perfect season, 12-0 overall in the conference. The Panthers didn’t let the loss of Set 3 get them down, coming back into the fourth set on fire and ready to win, 25-15, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18.

The first set started out with both teams exchanging points back and forth. They both got their opportunities to lead but the Panthers started to fall behind giving the Wolves the advantage. TMB stayed strong and started to come back with a small lead at 9-8 and later on finding themselves at a tie at 11-11. The Panthers didn’t let the tie scare them away, pulling ahead with a bigger lead at 17-12. Both teams contributed strong offense and defense but TMB found their niche and took the first win of the night, 25-15.

Set 2 started off with a quick tie, 2-2. Much like the first set the teams found themselves giving the points back and forth hitting another tie at 5-5. The Panthers gave the Wolverines no time to catch up, pulling ahead from MACCRAY with a small lead, 11-8. TMB continued to rack on the points holding their strong lead against the Wolverines at 14-10. The Panthers gave up a few points to MACCRAY which once again tied the two teams at 15-15. TMB used their strengths on offense and defense to hold their own and come out with a win in Set 2, 25-19.

The Panthers showed hope in the third set to start off with a small 8-6 lead, but found themselves falling behind when the Wolverines started to pull ahead gaining a bigger lead on TMB at 14-10. The Panthers put on a tough fight trying to keep the score close, 15-13, with MACCRAY still leading. With TMB gaining on them, the Wolverines found that as a big opportunity to pull ahead, 24-20. Slowly catching up to MACCRAY, the Panthers couldn’t keep up giving the Wolverines the win in Set 3, 25-21.

TMB came into the fourth set aggressive and ready to win. The Panthers took charge in the beginning with a quick lead, 9-5. TMB didn’t allow the Wolverines to creep up on them, and kept a strong lead throughout the whole set. The Panthers continued to dominate the court throughout the set coming out with a big win, 25-18.

TMB’s head coach Rick Haberman was impressed with how well the girls responded to MACCRAY after a tough loss in the third set.

“We stuck together really well as a team, the third set MACCRAY really took it to us and I thought we responded well in the fourth set. MACCRAY is a really good team and we knew we were going to have to play well to beat them,” said Haberman. “There were moments when we weren’t real sharp but the kids didn’t get down on each other, they kept digging in and battling.”

The Panthers will be on the road for their next match traveling to Marshall High School to play the Tigers. This will be the first and only match that the Tigers and Panthers will face each other this season.

Going into Thursday’s game, Haberman is looking forward to a tough match against Marshall but wants the girls to enjoy their win against MACCRAY and celebrate.

“Marshall’s going to be really tough, they play great defense and really challenge us in a number of ways. Right now we’re not thinking about that, we’re going to enjoy this moment and worry about Marshall tomorrow and Thursday.” said Haberman.

MACCRAY 15 19 25 18

TMB 25 25 21 25

Individual Statistics

Serving (Ace): (Edwards, Smith 2 aces; Kirk 1 ace).

Kills: (Lanoue 21; Dolan 14; Karbo 7).

Digs: (Kirk 25; Lanoue 23; Smith 18; Dolan 14).

Set Assists: (Smith 36).

Blocks: (Lanoue 4; Karbo 3; Dolan 2).

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