Coming off a sweep in their season opener, a confident Panther volleyball team started strong in their first home match against Windom on Tuesday. However, they couldn’t carry that momentum throughout the night and fell to the Eagles 25-19 13-25 18-25 23-25 in another nonconference match.
“We really came out confident in that first set,” said TMB coach Heather Kamrud-Rice.
That first set was a close one, as the Panthers’ largest lead through the first 24 points was just four. TMB (1-1) was able to hold at least a fourpoint lead on their way to taking the set.
But Windom responded by scoring 10 of the first 11 points of the second set as they cruised to a 12-point win to even the match.
The Eagles started strong again in Set 3, building a 20-14 cushion that they wouldn’t relinquish, and got off to another good start in Set 4, with a 10-4 lead. Their advantage grew to 18-10 before TMB got on track. A kill by Allie Adams ignited an 11-3 and that (set) shows that confidence is a big part of this game.”
However, the Panthers were never able to get over the hump to force a fifth set. Two TMB hitting errors put Windom one point away from the win, and after the Panthers earned two points to make it 24-23, a Windom blocked sealed it.
“The way they battled back speaks volumes for the girls,” said Kamrud-Rice. “Just two points away from a fifth set.”
Melaina Ankrum had 11 kills, and Elsie Knott 9 for the Panthers. Ankrum also had 17 set assists, eight digs and two service aces. Kirk had 19 digs, and Dolan recorded 12 set assists, 11 digs and five kills.
Adams pitched in with 13 digs and six kills.
Windom 19 25 25 25 TMB 25 13 18 23 Kills: Ankrum 11, Knott 9, Adams 6, Dolan 5, Lanoue 4, Martinez 2, Kirk. Set assists: Ankrum 17, Dolan 12, Kirk 3, Knakmuhs. Digs: Kirk 19, Adams 13, Dolan 11, Ankrum 8, Danielson 4, Knakmuhs 3, Knott, Lanoue.
Service aces: Danielson 3, Ankrum 2, Dolan, Kirk. Team serve %: 86.3%. Blocks: Ankrum 1.
AUG. 27: TMB 3, RRC 0
The Panther volleyball team opened its season with a 25-15, 25-16, 15-17 sweep over Red Rock Central last Thursday.
Melian Ankrum had nine kills and eight digs, Alli Dolan had 15 set assists and five digs, and Allie Adams Had eight kills and 10 digs. Braelynn Kirk and Lauren Knakmuhs had 14 and 10 digs, respectively, and Bell aMartinez recorded two blocks.
Adams, Ankum and Dolan each had three ace serves.
TMB 25 25 25 RRC 15 16 17 Kills: Ankrum 9, Adams 8, Dolan 4, Lanoue 3, Martinez 2, Swenhaugen. Set assists: Dolan 15, Kirk 4, Ankrum 4. Digs: Kirk 14, Adams 10, Kmakmuhs 10, Ankrum 8, Munson 6, Lanoue 4, Danielson 4, Swenhaugen 2. Service aces: Adams 3, Dolan 3, Ankrunm 3, Kirk. Team serve %: 87.8%. Blocks: Martinez 2, Lanoue, Ankrum.
