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Lady Panthers edge past NEVC in three sets
WALKER — The Sheldon Lady Panthers remarkable turnaround this season continued Monday in Walker, with a three-set road victory over reigning Golden Valley Vernon County Conference champion Northeast Vernon County Lady Knights.
It was the second time in three days Sheldon bested NEVC, having previously done so in the semifinals of Saturday’s GVVC Conference Tournament — en route to a runner-up finish.
Monday’s clash featured a closely played first set, featuring many ties and lead changes. The Lady Knights staved off Sheldon late, knotting the contest at 24-apiece via Kiertsen Diamond's front-row assist to Makinsey Conner for the left-side spike.
Sheldon then went back in front courtesy of middle hitter Madyson Bogart’s soft-tap, dropping between several NEVC defenders, as the Lady Panthers led 25-24.
Sheldon, however, was unable to hold serve and close out the match. With NEVC back in possession, and the scoreboard reading 25-25 — Conner was able to secure the first-set, 27-25 victory, after reeling off consecutive service-points.
Sheldon came out strong in the second set, grabbing a 12-7 advantage, and then extending that to 18-10. A 7-2 NEVC blitz trimmed the Lady Knights’ deficit to 20-17. Sheldon was then able to regroup, closing out the second set on a 5-2 run, and nailing down the 25-19 victory.
The third set went back-and-forth in the early going, and like the first set had several lead changes. Trailing 11-10, Sheldon caught fire, reeling off seven of the next eight points, and opening a 17-12 lead. The match again turned, with NEVC using a 7-2 run to draw even at 19-apiece.
Sheldon regained the lead, 20-19, courtesy of a Mahalia Swink spike. A quick 4-1 NEVC run, highlighted by Diamond's one-handed tap-kill, pushed the Lady Knights in front, 23-21.
On the ensuing possession, NEVC was unable to hold serve, as a miscommunication between a pair of Lady Knights near the front row resulted in the ball dropping untouched in-between the two players. The crucial turn of events seemed to deflate NEVC, with Sheldon trimming its deficit to 23-22 and regaining possession.
Sheldon was then able to hold serve, reeling off the final three points. The 25-23 third-set victory on Pink Out Night was punctuated by Bogart’s match-point kill.
Monday’s win improved the Lady Panthers to 7-16-1. Over the previous five seasons, Sheldon compiled a 7-94 overall record. The loss, meanwhile, moves NEVC to 7-7-1 overall.
NEVC’s last victory was a two-setter Oct. 11, on Pink Out Night at Bronaugh High School.
First-year NEVC head coach Heather Brown said she was pleasantly surprised with Megan Fields’ performance, as the sophomore tallied a varsity career-high 11 service-points.
“(Kelly) Dade ran the net and had multiple blocks and service kills,” said Brown, adding “(Kiertsen) Diamond set a beautiful cross-court ball for a kill by Conner.”