The Daviess County Lady Panthers went into Tuesday’s match against Owensboro Catholic with a chance to cause some turmoil atop the 9th District standings and with their backs against the wall, the Panthers made a run and didn’t look back.
Facing a 2-1 deficit, the Lady Panthers turned it on and took down the Aces 3-2 (24-26, 25-23, 16-25, 25-17, 15-11) to cause a three-way tie for the top spot in the 9th District. DC, Apollo and Owensboro all sit at 2-1.
Lady Panther coach Tyla Bailey said her team was aware of the stakes but they didn’t make it a focal point of their performance.
“We knew it’d be a three-way tie but we didn’t dwell on it,” she said. “We just knew we had to come out strong from point 0 to 25 every game. Some of the games we did really well, some we’ve still got a long way to go but we came together when we needed to.”
When her team faced the early deficit, Bailey said it was then her girls needed to flip the switch.
They did.
“At that point it’s all mentality,” she said. “We really just focused on keeping high energy, good mentality, just staying positive the whole time to pull us through some of the slumps that we made for ourselves. It was all just about coming together and getting the job done point by point, ball by ball, play by play.
“I think they went out and did pretty well. I’m pleased with them and how they played.”
DC took control in the fourth set and despite losing leads in the early sets, held strong and gain some momentum but for Bailey, there’s always more in the tank.
“I think we finally clicked at the right time,” she said.
Catholic coach Brian Hardison started the season in a tough spot when they had to quarantine but have rebounded well in recent weeks.
Hardison said he felt positive after Tuesday’s match.
“I am really proud of my team,” he said. “I’ve changed my lineup every game. We had such a late start, I’m doing stuff I normally do in June and July.”
Despite being 1-6 on the year, Hardison said his team is going the right direction.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “We’ve only got two weeks left and this is the time to come together and play good ball.”
Catholic plays Thursday at Trinity while Daviess County plays Thursday at home against Muhlenberg County.
Daviess County 3, Owensboro Catholic 2 (24-26, 25-23, 16-25, 25-17, 15-11)
OCHS: Cate Sights (23 kills, 6 blocks), Jenna Glenn (25 digs), Paige Miles (3 aces, 10 kills, 5 blocks, 6 digs), Madeline Castlen (11 kills, 3 blocks), Kennedy Murphy (2 aces, 22 assists, 7 digs), Allie Hamilton (2 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs), Lexie Miles (5 kills), Emily (5 aces, 27 digs), Delaney Flaherty (3 digs), Lilly Farmer (2 kills, 20 assists)
DCHS: Kendal Goetz (2 assists, 21 digs), Josie Newcom (13 kills, 4 blocks, 17 digs, ace), Jasmine Beasley (7 kills, 3 blocks, 7 digs), Ryann Keller (2 kills, 30 assists, 5 digs), Adylan Ayer (6 kills, 3 blocks, 3 digs, 2 aces), Elizabeth Moore (19 kills, block, 8 digs, ace), Lexi Owen (12 assists, 4 digs, ace)
