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The Panther volleyball team exercised some demons Wednesday night when they defeated Highland Community College in four games. It was the first time the Panthers have beaten Highland since 2008, and the first time they have beat them in a regular season game since 2005.
 
“For whatever reason we have struggled with Highland in the past so it was good to end the streak. It wasn't something we had really talked about much with our team, but it is nice to get the win and move on,” said Coach Herron. The win also extends the Panthers win streak to a season long six games.
 
The Panthers jumped all over Highland in the first set and cruised to a 25-18 win. The second set would be a much tighter one with Highland taking control early. The Panthers would battle back however and finally take the lead late in the set to earn the win 25-23.
 
The Panther defense which had been great in the first two sets struggled a bit in the third allowing Highland back in the match. Highland would take the third set in a back and forth set 25-23 to force a fourth game.
 
The fourth set would be one of the tightest of the day with neither team managing to take a lead of more than two until Highland took a timeout trailing 14-11. Highland would not go down without a fight but the Panthers would hang on to take the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.
 
After being named the NJCAA Player of the Week earlier in the day, Yuleika Jimenez had another outstanding day for the Panthers. Jimenez would record yet another double-double notching 22 kills to go with 10 digs.
 
Freshman setter Laura Broadfoot also recorded a double-double as she led the Panthers with 19 digs to go with her 32 assists. Katie Jensen had 18 digs for the match while Whitney Gifford had 14 of her own.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Haley Miller had 10 kills on the day and Tasha Wampler had a season high eight kills in the match.
 
“We are playing pretty well right now,” said Coach Herron. “We are a pretty young team and they have really grown up this year. Our freshman aren't playing like freshman anymore.”
 
The Panthers are now 14-8 overall and 3-2 in Jayhawk Conference play. They will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Coffeyville for a tournament. Their first game will be Friday at 4:00pm when they take on Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.