By: Ross Van De Griek
It was part two between two district rivals on Monday night at Plant High School, as the host Panthers got their revenge from a 5-set loss back in August to this same Wharton volleyball team. Scores in each set were 25-21 Plant, 25-20 Wharton, 25-11 Plant, 25-21 Plant. Plant improved to 17-7 overall, while Wharton fell to 18-3 overall.
Plant played a total of seven games over the weekend in Arizona this past weekend, where they won four of them at the Nike Tournament of Champions.
Wharton started off the match on a 5-2 run, that would later be crept into just a 6-5 Plant lead in the opening set. Plant fought back & tied things at 12-12 & would retake the lead at 13-12. Plant would start to pull away in the opening set as they led by five points twice late in the set, 21-16 & 24-19. The host Panthers would hold onto take the first set, 25-21.
The second set started by a 3-2 Wharton run featuring a kill & an ace from senior outside hitter Jeanette Henderson. Wharton led 9-6 almost midway through the second set, as Lexi Morse had a couple kills. Wharton would not look back in the second set as they led 16-13. Although, the host Panthers would score three straight points to tie it at 16-16. Wharton answered back with three straight points of their own & led 19-16. Wharton held onto take the second set, 25-20.
Plant would control the third set right from the first serve, as they started the set on a 6-0 run. Wharton made things a little interesting at 9-3 in the third set, but Plant was just too much as they would lead 11-4. Both teams would later trade points for a bit, as Plant led 17-10 late in the third set. Plant's Reese Friar was just too much to handle for the Wildcats, as the Panthers took a 20-11 lead late in the third set. Plant would close out the set with five straight points, 25-11.
The fourth set was a little back and forth volleyball, as the two teams combined for five unforced errors. Towards the midway point of the fourth set, Wharton held a 12-7 advantage featuring a couple kills from senior Jeanette Henderson. However, Plant made things a little interesting as they'd rally back to make it a 16-16 game in the fourth set. The match would also be tied again at 19-19 & 21-21. Plant scored the final four points to take the fourth set, 25-21 & the match 3-1.
The road ahead for Wharton (18-3): @ Freedom (Thursday)
The road ahead for Plant (17-7): vs Bloomingdale (Thursday)