Sports from the week of October 24, 2001 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Spikers enter tourney ranked No. 1 in Class AA

The Panther volleyball team enters this year's section tournament ranked No. 1 in Class AA and holding a 23-2 season record. The team won the prestigious Apple Valley tournament and the Alexandria tournament, playing larger schools with good volleyball programs.

The Panthers also won the 212 Conference championship with a 7-0 conference record, including a win over Renville County West, the team that ousted the Panthers from the section semifinal last season.

"One of our goals for the season is to advance further in the tournaments than last year and we are working hard to attain that goal," said Panther coach Katie Gervais. "This week we have gone back to the basic fundamentals since we have strayed away from them recently and it has helped."

TMB is matched against Canby in the first round of the sub-section tournament scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26 at Redwood Valley High School.

In 212 Conference stats, as of Sunday, October 21, the Panthers led the conference in aces with 227.

Tracy hosts Section 3A cross country Thursday

For the first time ever, Tracy is hosting the Section 3A cross country meet.

The meet is set for Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Tracy Country Club. Starting time for the girls' race is 4:30 p.m. Boys' competition begins at 5:15 p.m.

Spectators are welcome. The start is near the No. 4 green on the east side of the course.

The top two teams and the top seven individuals in each division qualify for the state meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield on Nov. 3.

The Panther girls hope to be among the state contenders.

"The girls have been working hard and it will come down to who wants it the most," said Panther Coach Brian Michelson. "We have competed most of this season while struggling with various injuries and sickness. The 212 Conference meet was the first time all season that we have all been healthy at the same time."

Gridders nearly upset No. 1-seed Breckenridge

Cowboys end Panther season with 26-13 win

The Panther football team battled close game before falling 26-13 in the Section 6AA playoffs Tuesday night at Breckenridge.

The loss ended the Panther football season with a 2-7 record.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of," Panther Coach Joe Kemp told his squad after the game. "This was your best game of the season and you came this close to winning it tonight," as he held up his thumb and forefinger about 1/4 inch apart.

"You have a nice team ther," said Walnut Grove native and Breckenridge assistant coach Joel Herder. "With any breaks at all you could have held a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. That Scott LaVoy is a heck of a ball player."