Senior night stand ends in dominant fourth set

The Panthers snapped Southwest Valley’s 12-game win streak in a 3-1 upset Tuesday at home on senior night.

The Panthers have six seniors on the roster, all starters. Kadley Bailey, Hollynn Rieck, Jaycee Hanson, Ella Turner, Braylee Pokorny and Avery Staver were all honored before the game.

“Seniors came out to play on senior night,” Creston coach Naomi Sharp said. “Was proud of the girls for finishing in game four.”

Creston (9-9) went up two games, winning both 25-17 before Southwest Valley (20-5) brought it in the third set, winning 25-21.

The Panthers closed out the night with a dominant set four win, taking it 25-10 after going up 9-0 to start the match.

“They let up in game three and let Southwest Valley come out and control the game,” Sharp said. “We answered, but it was too late. We came out game four and took care of business. Everyone contributed to the win.”

It was the Timberwolves’ first loss in three weeks.

“The girls played competitively in the first two sets; we weren’t able to find out groove to take a win those sets,” Southwest Valley coach Lisa Sparks said. “We refocused and changed a few things the third set and were able to take that set win. We couldn’t find a groove in the fourth set, taking the loss on the night.”

The first set remained close, the Timberwolves coming back from down 15-12 to tie it at 15 on a kill by senior Mackenzie Fast. Fast finished with seven kills.

The Panthers took a timeout at that point, coming back to go on a 5-0 run, senior Ella Turner sending two over the net the Timberwolves couldn’t return.

After the timeout, the Panthers outscored the visitors 10-2, winning 25-17.

At the net, Jaycee Hanson led the offense, putting up 16 kills. Hollynn Rieck contributed 10 and Turner logged nine.

Kadley Bailey had a game-high 38 assists.

Ray Helvie led the Timberwolves, scoring on 14 kills.

In set two, Creston got out to an early 4-0 lead. Southwest Valley never caught up, going down as much as 23-12 on a kill placed perfectly in the back corner by Hanson.

In set three, the Panthers rallied back from down 13-6, tying the game at 14, but errors and miscommunications by Creston saw the Timberwolves score five unanswered.

In the final set, the Panthers came out dominant, playing clean volleyball while the Timberwolves floundered to a 9-0 deficit to start the set.

A short serve by the Panthers gave Southwest Valley their first point of the match. Creston held the Timberwolves to just 10 points that set.

Creston’s back row defense was led by Rieck who put up 26 digs. Libero Avery Staver and Hanson each added 16 while Bailey had 15.

At the net, it was another dominant performance by Braylee Pokorny, who logged three solo blocks and one assist. Hope Henderson had one solo and two assists.

The Timberwolves return to action Monday against Central Decatur and Tuesday at the POI championships at Martensdale-St. Marys

“It was great to see the fight from the team to want the win,” Sparks said. “I am proud of the girls and their efforts. We will turn back around and refocus for the POI Tournament next week.”

The Panthers hosted St. Albert tonight and finish the regular season next Thursday, hosting Glenwood.