October 13, 2016 - Just one day after rising to the top of the NJCAA Division I National rankings, the Panola College Volleyball team found themselves in another 5-set thriller, their fourth in 8 days, this time at conference rival Tyler Junior College's Wagstaff Gymnasium. Using another gritty performance, the Fillies stormed back from down 2-1 to take the last 2 sets and the match: 24-26, 25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8.
A total team effort and balanced offense proved successful again for PC, led by a break out performance by freshman middle blocker Barbara Sabino with 15 kills and 5 blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Rachel Henderson followed closely with 13 kills, 1 block assist and 2 solos. Rounding out the offense were outside hitters Jaqueline Santos and Victoria Baptista with 7 kills, and right side hitters Kaitlyn Adams (6) and Melanie Casteel (5). Casteel also added 1 block assist and 2 solos in a clutch performance for the Fillies, playing without injured sophomore outside hitter Ana Oliveira. Distributing the ball so efficiently were freshmen setters Cayman Sutton and Kinly Carter, tallying 27 and 20 assists, respectively. Behind the block, Panola was paced by sophomore libero Morgan Currie who led the team with 17 digs, followed by 10 from Victoria Baptista. With the win, the Fillies improve to 5-0 in conference and 26-2 overall on the year.
Coming off of a ten-game road stretch in which the Fillies went 10-0, they will return home to host a non-conference tri-match with Mountainview and Southwest Christian College this Saturday, October 15 in Arthur Johnson Gymnasium. The Panola match times, set for 12 pm and 4 pm, will be used to help commemorate "Sophomore Day", a time in which the program's four sophomores will be honored following the last match of the day.
Submitted by Jane Hays
