TRACY — Hit after hit, serve after serve, it was anyone’s game to win. Both teams played a defensive battle, but the Panther would run away with the win in a five-set thriller, defeating Lakeview 3-2.  

“It truly was close in all the sets that we played,” said Lakeview coach Alexis Lienemann. “We would get into a rhythm and find our way to move the ball around. Taylor Hinz has led our team through a lot of these games. She’s mature and knows what to do when we were down in situations like this. We rely on her a lot.” 

Hinz, a junior, recorded 18 kills for the Lakers. Aubrey Nething and Aubreigh Rausch had 7 and 9 kills, respectfully. 

Right out the gate, TMB came out swinging, but Lakeview found their way around. Every serve had the crowd’s attention, wondering what would happen next. The Panthers would brew a possible comeback, until Lakeview called a timeout, 17-24. The Panthers would score six straight, but the comeback would be spoiled when Lakeview closed the first set, 25-23. 

Just like the first set, a powerful Panther team would go up 9-2 to start the second set. Lakeview would call a timeout to find some momentum, and that’s exactly what they got. The Panthers fell into a slump, giving the Lakers hope. It would be neck and neck until a pair of long volleys helped the Panthers find momentum. The Lakers would come close, but the Panthers would close out the set, 25-22, avoiding a scare.  

“Those sets where it’s back and forth are what we can use during practice for the postseason.” Said TMB coach Heather Kamrud-Rice. “Finding the energy and discipline to get back into the game and finish the set, even when we’re down, has been helping us a lot.”  

Sophomore Allie Adams helped the Panthers in clutch moments whether it be rallying up the score, or getting clutch hits to close out the set, she was there working magic. “She is one of the most disciplined players we have. Being a sophomore, we’ll have her on varsity for a while now. She’s helped us catch up when down, and she never loses hope.” said Coach Kamrud-Rice, complimenting Adams on her hard work and discipline.  

The Panthers would be overwhelmed to start the third set, but finding momentum wasn’t hard at all. Their hard work and teamwork would pay off, taking the third set, leading 2-1.  

Adams would keep that mentality, even when down low in the fourth set, 4-7. The Panthers would play strong defense on the net, trying to keep Hinz from more kills. Both sides would play a defensive battle, but the Lakers were overwhelmed by a possible comeback. TMB would rally from being down much of the set, coming back from 20-17, then leading 22-21.  After Lakeview called for a timeout, they would shut out the Panthers, 25-22.  

The fifth set comes and everybody in the gym is ready for the Panthers to stomp out all hope for the Lakers.  But the Lakers wouldn’t show mercy, overwhelming the Panthers 2-9, forcing a timeout for TMB. That timeout may have been the best call for their game. The Panthers would rally to a comeback, courtesy of Allie Adams. After some nice serves and long volleys, the Panthers would lead for the first time in the fifth set, 13-12.  

The student section, the bench, the crowd were ready to see the Panthers be hailed the victors, but each point would be split by the two, making an even more exciting final set. After a few clutch serves by Adams, the Panthers were one point away from their homecoming victory.  

As the crowd yells “game point”, it would get to the Lakeview court, causing them to miss their third hit, hailing TMB the victors in a five-set thriller.  

“Having the students and the girls be loud helps our team a lot. It gives them confidence, knowing that we can rally from this, and that’s exactly what we did tonight.” Said coach Kamrud-Rice, praising the fans’ spirit and the girls’ confidence.  

Allie Adams led the Panthers throughout the game, posting 11 kills and four blocks. Braelynn Kirk also showed off with 13 digs and 11 kills.  

For the Lakers, Rausch tallied 25 set assists while Jersey Stensrud’s 11 digs and Hinz’s seven led the team.

Lakeview (6-9) will travel to Minneota (13-6), Thursday at 7:00 P.M. TMB (11-9) will travel to Renville to face Renville County West (14-3), Thursday at 7:15 p.m.