Saratoga gets conference win

For their first away game of the season, the Lady Panthers ventured into Tiger Nation where they faced off against their Valley rivals, the Encampment Lady Tigers. Despite having home court advantage, Encampment couldn't keep Saratoga from dominating the net. After three close sets (25-14, 25-21, 25-17) the Lady Panthers left with their first conference win since entering the 1A Southwest Conference two years ago.

"The past few years I felt like we were almost there," said Shayley Love, head coach of the Lady Panthers, "but we didn't have that competitiveness that we needed with Encampment. I felt like tonight was a very good competitive match. We may have gotten them in three sets, but they were tight sets. It wasn't like we just ran away with it."

Leading the team in those tight sets against the Lady Tigers was junior Taylor Bennett who had 16 total serves (SA) and 100 percent successful serves throughout the match. Following Bennett was senior Mychaela Jackman with 14 SAs and 92.9 percent in successful serves and junior Makiya Johnson with 11 SAs and 90.9 percent in successful serves.

Junior Aubrey Berger, however, led the team on kills with eight followed by Bennett with five and senior Tiffany Bauer with four. Meanwhile, sophomore Tasia Daley led the team in digging with 20 followed by Berger with 10 and Bennett with five.

This combination of successful offense and defense led to several extended rallies that drew the eyes of spectators to the ceiling as the Lady Panthers worked to overcome Encampment. The closest the Lady Tigers would come to overtaking Saratoga would be in the second set, though throughout the match Berger and Bennett would find themselves confronted at the net by Noelle Peterson and Lauren Buford.

"It was a nice conference win for these girls and a nice little ego boost for them as well," Love said.

An ego boost was highly needed for the team, composed of mostly juniors and seniors, which has struggled the last two years without a conference win and is now seeing those struggles pay off in what is one of the more competitive conferences in the state.

The head coach of the Lady Panthers would not discount Encampment despite the win in their home court, however.

"Definitely not a team to underestimate," said Love of Encampment. "They still have talent. It's nice to come and compete with them, finally."

While some may attribute Saratoga's victory over the Lady Tigers to the loss of senior Paige Powell, Love made note of the talent still present on Encampment's volleyball team that the Lady Panthers had to overcome for their win.

"We know Noelle (Peterson) is great," Love said. "I knew Lauren (Buford) was going to pull something out on us tonight and we had to be prepared."

Following the victory in Tiger Nation, the Lady Panthers are now 4-0 for the season and 1-0 for the conference. The next game for Saratoga will at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 in Rock River against the Rock River Lady Longhorns who are currently sitting at 3-2 for the season and 0-0 for the conference.