EP started strong against the 1-9 Lady Rockets as they jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first set. They grew the advantage to 17-9 before Rockridge took a timeout. The break did little slow the Panther attack as the took the set 25-18.
Rockridge responded in the second set taking an early 7-4 lead. A 5-1 EP run forced the Rockets to call time, but the break benefited the Lady Panthers as they pulled away with a 7-1 run, including six straight points to go up 15-9. Rockridge strung together four points to tighten the contest to 19-15. The Rocket drew within two at 21-19 before EP stopped the rally and regained a four point lead, 23-19. The visitors were not ready to call it a night as they scored three clutch points to make it a one-point game, 23-22. EP caoch Rachel Bramm took a time out to settle her squad, which worked perfectly as the Panthers returned to the court to score the final two points of the set to take a 25-22 win.
“It was a great team effort against a scrappy Rockridge team.,said EP coach Rachel Bramm. “We struggled to get our energy going early, but eventually found our rhythm and started to see a lot of high-level play by the end of the night. We’re looking to carry this momentum through Tuesday, as we turn around and face a solid Princeton squad at their place.”
EP Stats
Alaina Frank: 7 kills, 5 digs
Lauren Punke: 6 kills (0.625), 2 digs
Lia Milem: 5 kills (0.625), 20 assists, 4 digs
Ellah Brooks: 10 digs, 4 assists, 1 ace
The Panthers improve to 8-3 and will travel to Princeton on Tuesday.
