The Lady Panthers have become Sectional Champions and earned a trip to the Regionals held in Nicholas County. On Tuesday night there was a war raging at Herbert Hoover as both the Lady Panthers and the Lady Huskies were determined to not go down in defeat. First, the Lady Panthers had to get past Nicholas County on Tuesday night before they could get to the match with the Lady Huskies. It was not to be for the Lady Grizzlies in the first match against the Lady Panthers. The Lady Panthers took them down in three straight games but not without a battle. The Lady Grizzlies brought their A game and were strong on the net against the Lady Panthers. However, with some great defensive blocking up front and pinpoint accuracy on their kills, the Lady Panthers rolled on to the game against the Lady Huskies. In the last meeting of the two teams, the Lady Huskies came out on top. This time would prove to be different. This game was a nail biter from start to finish and a great display of volleyball agility. The match took all five games to get a winner, and the Lady Panthers took this match to the bank with a fifth game 15-9 score.
With two games under their belt, the Lady Panthers were in the winning bracket and assured a spot in the Regionals. However, this meant they would have to play the winner of the loser’s bracket for the Sectional championship. Of course, it was to be a rematch with the Lady Huskies on Wednesday evening. The game started, and it was Tuesday night all over again – a Volleyball war from start to finish. It once again took all five games, and the Lady Panthers defeated their arch rival Lady Huskies to win the Sectional Title. It was off to the Regionals on Saturday with high expectations for the Lady Panthers as they have proven that they can play with the best teams in the state and win. They defeated Wayne in their first game and, as you may have guessed, gained another rematch with the Lady Huskies for the regional title. It was different this time. The Lady Huskies and the Lady Panthers came out with guns a blazing. It was not to be for the Lady Panthers this night; they fought hard once again but couldn’t get the rhythm, and the Lady Huskies defeated them 3-0.
However, the Lady Panthers have earned a berth in the State Championship for the first time since the fall of 2004. The top eight teams in the state will compete at the Charleston Civic Center on Friday and Saturday this week. Call the school or check with your friends on Facebook to find out times. This is big, and the Lady Panthers can beat anybody there. It just may be an opportunity for a team championship for CCHS. If the Lady Panthers can play like they are capable of, this just may be the Year of the Cat. So come on down to the Charleston Civic Center Friday and cheer the Lady Panthers on. They have worked very hard and deserve the chance to be the best in the state!