There was a lot to celebrate Wednesday on the campus of Neosho County Community College, including a 25-10, 25-12 and 25-16 straight-set victory over Labette Community College and the careers of three sophomores.
 The Panthers jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead and never let up, and that was the game plan for Neosho County heading into the regular season finale."We didn't give them an opportunity to get started. We never let them get into a rhythm," Coach Asay Herron said. "I wasn't surprised by it, but we made them look a lot worse than how they have been playing."Sophomores Jill starling and Mackenzie Brown scored two kills early to aid the start."We had a nice well-rounded offense. Defensively, we played well and we passed the ball well, " Herron said.
    Starling and freshman Riley McGinn led the Panthers with a team-high eight kills, while Brown and freshman Mandi Taylor added five each. Defensively, freshman Rianne Richard and Taryn Strobel led the team with 21 and 15 digs. Sophomore Chesney Vaughn added four. McGinn, Richard and Brown had two blocks each. 
    For Vaughn, Brown and Starling, it was their final home match of their Panther careers. "I couldn't ask for better kids to represent our program. All three of them have had a lot of weight on their shoulders, even as freshmen," Herron said. "Jill pretty much played every game for us last year. Mack was a go-to for us as a freshman until she was injured. Chesney was either playing libero or defensive specialist of us. They, even as freshman, were a big part of our offense and defense." Despite their different personalities, the coach said you couldn't have asked for a better trio of leaders."Mack is the lead by example kid. You never had to ask her twice to do something. "Herron said. "Chesney is the more vocal one of the group, and Jill is the person all the freshman look at to make decisions and be the voice on the court. 
    The Panthers end the regular season 24-13 overall and 4-6 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference and as the No. 8 seed in the upcoming district tournament. Neosho County's playoff destination wasn't determined until Wednesday when Johnson County Community College knocked off Cowley County Community College in five sets. The Panthers will travel to Johnson County for the Region VI District Tournament Saturday, Nov, 7.