EP went 2-1-2 during the day with play limited to two set matches in pool play.
The Panthers entered the invite as the defending champions but a semi-final loss did not allow them to repeat. The hosts won the tournament defeating Bureau Valley in three sets.
EP’s pool play included a tie with East Dubuque (25-20, 21-25), a tie with Bureau Valley (25-23, 20-25), and a win over Hiawatha (25-20, 25-10). In the semi-finals the Lady Panthers lost to Pearl City in straight sets 25-12, 25-21 before defeating River Ridge 25-9, 25-15.
Panther coach Rachel Bramm felt the tournament was a great gauge for her team at this point in the season. “The Pearl City Tournament fell almost exactly halfway through our season, which makes it a great checkpoint for us to take inventory of where we stand. Although we had some disappointments through the day by dropping sets to East Dubuque and Bureau Valley, as well as losing in the semi-final match to Pearl City, we learned some very valuable lessons about ourselves as a team that I believe will serve us well in preparing for the second half of the season. We’re looking to turn around and face a solid Kewanee team at home on Tuesday in our pursuit of the TRAC East conference title!”
EP will take their 11-4-2 record into play on Tuesday hosting Kewanee with a 12-6 mark.
