CHANUTE, Kan. – After dropping the first set to No. 10 Cowley the Neosho Panthers battled back to take the second set but would eventually fall in four to the Tigers 15-25, 27-25, 14-25, 16-25.
 
The Neosho offense struggled against a Cowley defense that, coming into the match, had not stood out blocking. The Tigers would notch 13.0 blocks on the night however, forcing the Panthers into a season low .099 attack percentage.
 
The first set would be tight early before Cowley began to methodically pull away. An 8-1 would be the separation Cowley needed to take the first.
 
The second set would see the Panthers in control much of the way. Cowley would not go down without a fight however as they battled back from down 20-17 to force set point leading 24-23. The Panthers would score four of the next five points however to take the set 27-25. It was the first time since 2010 that Neosho has taken a set from the Tigers.
 
The loss in the second set ignited a fire under the Tigers however as they cruised in the third and fourth sets to stay unbeaten in Jayhawk Conference play.
 
Jill Starling recorded her third straight double-double and eighth of the season, finishing with a team best 12 kills to go with 13 digs. Starling was the only Panthers to hit above .200 as she finished 12 of 31 with 3 errors for a .290%. Katy Rhodd added nine kills and 11 digs in the loss while Carolina Alfonso picked up a team best 17 digs.
 
The loss drops the Panthers to 10-8 overall and 2-3 in Jayhawk Conference play.  Their next action will be a rematch with No. 13 Fort Scott Community College. The Greyhounds knocked off Neosho earlier in the season at the Allen Invite.