Many new faces were on the court for the Lady Panther squad as they hosted Orion on Monday night in Erie. EP graduated eleven seniors from last season’s 30 win squad. Orion led from the outset in both sets to win the match 25-15, 25-19.
The opener was the second annual Tara Johnson Memorial Game to honor the assistant EP coach and the founder of the Prophetstown based Orange Crush Volleyball Club. Johnson, passed away in June of 2025 from Ovarian Cancer.
The Panthers did not lead in the first set as they trailed 7-6 early. The Lady Chargers went on a 7-1 run to make it 14-7. Multiple service errors by the Panthers allowed Orion to hold their advantage with the hosts getting no closer than six the rest of the set as Orion lead by as many as 10.
The second set was much closer although again EP never held a lead. Orion leading 7-6 put together a 6-1 run to go up 13-7 and forcing the Panthers to take a timeout.
Trailing 17-9, EP’s Alaina Frank reeled off four straight service points to get the Panthers within four. Unfortunately, that would be as close as they would get with the Lady Chargers getting the win 25-19.
Coach Rachel Bramm said, “We definitely showed our youth tonight! There are lots of things to work on but also a ton of potential. We really disadvantaged ourselves by missing too many serves and playing timid. The first-game jitters are out of the way, so now we’re ready to turn around and come back stronger against BV tomorrow.”
EP Stats
Alaina Frank: 8 kills, 3 aces, 4 digs
Ellah Brooks: 13 digs
Lia Milem: 9 assists
The Panthers (0-1) travel to Bureau Valley on Tuesday.
