The Lady Panthers came in with a 18-7-2 record and had defeated Princeton in straight sets four weeks ago.
Seven EP seniors played their final home volleyball game as they were honored on Senior Night prior to the conference match. Seniors, Kayler Pritchard, Lauryn Wunderlich, Wynn Renkes, Lauren Punke, Ella Brooks, Maddi Porter, and Ayden Klendworth were introduced at mid-court prior to the contest.
Five of the seniors took the starting positions to begin the first set with Princeton jumping out to a 5-2 lead. Lady Panther coach, Rachel Bramm slowly rotated her regular starters into the lineup but Princeton continued to maintain the advantage. The Lady Tigers went on a 4-0 run to go up 12-5 with EP taking a timeout.
Princeton continued their strong play at the net handling several EP spikes with strong blocks and keeping the ball in play. EP could not gain any ground as the Lady Tigers did not let their lead slip below 6 the rest of the set taking a 25-19 win.
The Lady Panthers got out to a 4-2 lead in the second set but Princeton continued their excellent net play and strung together 8 consecutive points, capped off with an ace to go up 10-4 and force the hosts into a timeout. Princeton was able to increase their margin to 8 with EP unable to respond. With the score 23-15 the Panthers put together a small rally to cut the lead to 5 but they would get no closer falling, 25-18.
Bramm said she knew the match was going to be a battle. “Between the emotionally charged environment of Senior Night and a tough matchup with a scrappy opponent, we knew the game was going to be a battle from start to finish. Princeton played a really fantastic, well-rounded game and we just didn’t do enough good things to counteract that. We struggled to pass and attack all night, and that showed. Despite the outcome not being what we wanted, it by no means discounts the importance of what our seniors have done for this program over the past four years. We love them and appreciate everything that they are and everything that they do.”
The Panthers will go on the road next Monday to take on Morrison followed by a conference defining match at Kewanee on Tuesday.
“I tell the girls all the time that we learn more from losses than we do wins, and this loss is no exception. We know exactly what we need to do in order to improved over the next week and a half before entering post season play,” added Bramm.
