Panther netters to 1-1 over weekend

The Saratoga Lady Panthers played two games over the weekend instead of the scheduled three. Southeast High School canceled due to multiple games on their schedule.

The Lady Panthers started their weekend off Thursday night facing the Encampment Lady Tigers and finished the weekend against the Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns on Saturday. Playing seven sets over the course of the weekend, the Lady Panthers went 1-1.

Saratoga vs. Encampment

The Saratoga Lady Panthers' home game against the Encampment Lady Tigers was a loud one. The stands were packed with fans on both sides of the line, though Saratoga had two cheering sections of students who rallied their team on. The 1st set was hard fought with only a two point difference. The Lady Panthers slashed at the Lady Tigers taking the first set 26-24. Serving a total of 7 aces in the match, the Lady Panthers were defending their home court fiercely.

Taking a bite out of Encampment, the Lady Panthers took the second set 25-23. The Lady Panthers were defensively led by Makenna King with 21 digs, Whitney Bennett with 15 digs and Josie Little with 8 digs over the game. With 61 total team digs from Saratoga, the Lady Tigers had their work cut out for them.

Slashing into the 3rd set, Saratoga clawed at the Lady Tigers winning 26-24. Only two points separated the team in each set as the dust settled on the cat fight. With a total of 27 team kills the, Saratoga Lady Panthers would win the home match against the Encampment Lady Tigers. Whitney Bennett led the team in kills with 9, Oliva Everett with 6 and Josie Little and Makenna King with 4 kills each.

"I was very proud of the way our team rallied on Thursday to get a win against a talented Encampment team. We had a couple of girls in new positions and they handled those new spots well," said Head Coach Shayley Love. "I was very proud of their overall performance and the way they mentally stayed together as a team."

Saratoga vs. Farson-Eden

The Saratoga Lady Panthers traveled to Farson-Eden on Saturday to face the Lady Pronghorns. Playing a total of four sets the Lady Pronghorns would ultimately win the match. In the 1st set the Lady Panthers clawed at the Lady Pronghorns winning 25-21. The Lady Panthers came to attack with 158 team totals. Led by Whitney Bennett with 42 attacks, Makenna King with 30, Hanna Lathrop with 29, Olivia Everett with 27 and Josie Little with 19.

The Lady Pronghorns would take the 2nd set 25-20, defending their home court from the Lady Panthers. With a total of 81 serves and 6 aces the Lady Panthers were not giving in easily. Freshman Josie Little and junior Olivia Everett served 2 aces each, followed by juniors Hanna Lathrop and Sadie Bangs with 1 ace each.

The 3rd set would go to Farson-Eden at 25-22. Though The Lady Panthers were still attacking, serving a total of 34 team kills. Whitney Bennett led with 13 kills, Makenna King and Hanna Lathrop followed with 6 kills each, Olivia Everet and Josie Little had 4 kills each.

The 4th set was a hard loss for the Lady Panthers to the Lady Pronghorns with a final score of 25-14.

"Our Farson game was a tough loss and, with a little work on passing, we will be good to go. We just didn't get things going and keep the momentum like we needed to, to come out on top." Said Head Coach Love.

The next home game for the Saratoga Panthers will be against Walden at 4:00 p.m. on October 15 in Saratoga.