CHANUTE, Kan. – The Neosho Panthers (10-9, 2-4) tallied just 26 kills while being held to a season low .078 hitting percentage as they fell to Fort Scott (21-2, 4-1) in straight sets 23-25, 8-25, 20-25. It was the second straight match the Panthers were held to a sub .100 hitting percentage.
With one of the largest crowds of the season on hand, the first set was a tight back and forth battle that kept both fan bases involved. Neosho grabbed an early three point lead that would be the largest of the set by either team after four straight kills by the Panthers.
The two teams would trade points for most of the set as the fans grew more and more involved. After a block and a kill by the Greyhounds game them a 21-18 lead Neosho took their first timeout. The Panthers would rally after the timeout to pull within one at 23-22 forcing Fort Scott to use a timeout.
Jill Starling came up with what appeared to be a big kill to tie the set at 23 but it was wiped off after it was ruled she was in the net forcing set point. After a service error by the Greyhounds, they would come up with a kill to take the first set 25-23.
The second set would prove to be a nightmare for the Panthers as they were held to a season low eight points while hitting -.028. Neosho was only able to come up with seven kills while committing 8 errors to drop the set.
Head coach
Asya Herron made a lineup change prior to the third set.
Carolina Alfonso who had started the match as the libero moved into the rotation and
Katie Pettis donned the libero jersey as Herron looked for a spark for the Panther offense.
After being nearly unstoppable in the second set the Greyhounds appeared sloppy in the third. Fort Scott gave away 12 points as the set remained tight. Fort Scott opened up the largest lead of the set for either team at 19-14 prompting a timeout by the Panthers. Neosho couldn't get any closer following the timeout however as they dropped the set 25-20 to drop a season worst third straight match.
Mackenzie Brown led the Panthers with eight kills on 17 swings to hit .294.
Jill Starling was the only Panther to reach double figures with 13 digs.
The Panthers will look to bounce back Wednesday (Nov. 1) when they travel to Independence at 6:30pm. They will return home this weekend when they host the Neosho Invitational. The tournament will run Friday and Saturday with games at 2, 4, 6, and 8 on Friday and 10, 12, 2, and 4 on Saturday. The Panthers will open the tournament at 2pm on Friday with Marshalltown Community College. They will then take on Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at 6 Friday evening. Saturday will see the Panthers in action at 12pm against Pratt Community College and 4pm against Oklahoma Baptist University.
