Panthers Dominate Centerville in Class 3A Regionals Quarterfinals

The Panthers (12-13) delivered a commanding performance on March 5, 2024, sweeping Centerville (17-14) in the Class 3A Region 4 quarterfinals held at their home court. The decisive victory showcased the team’s skill and preparation, as they outscored their opponents 75-35 across three sets, winning by scores of 25-11, 25-11, and 25-13.

Coach Naomi Sharp attributed the team’s success to their experience with tougher opponents during the season. “I knew we played a lot harder teams throughout our season than they had,” she stated. “I just wanted us to bring that intensity that we had against those teams in this game.” The Panthers established dominance early, leading nearly the entire match and building a 14-point advantage at one point.

In the third set, the Panthers surged to a 6-0 lead, setting the tone for their continued aggressiveness. Leading the offensive charge were Hollynn Rieck and Jaycee Hanson, each contributing ten kills. Kadley Bailey played a crucial role in facilitating the offense with an impressive 31 assists. Coach Sharp noted the team’s remarkable hitting efficiency, stating, “By far, one of our best hitting percentages. We had 39 kills and only eight errors so that alone speaks volumes.”

Defensive Strength and Team Cohesion

On the defensive side, libero Avery Staver led the team with 15 digs, while Rieck added 14. The Panthers also showcased their strength at the net, with Ella Turner and Pokorny recording two and three blocks, respectively. Staver emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, “We played together as a team. We had a good defense. Their serves are pretty good. They had some hard servers.”

Despite the significant margin in the first set, Staver urged her teammates to maintain their focus. “Don’t let down just because we beat them a lot in the first set,” she advised. “We have to keep our foot on the pedal and keep getting kills.” The Panthers served up seven aces during the match, with Staver and Bailey each contributing two.

This match also marked a poignant moment for the team’s seniors, as it was their last home game. Hanson reflected on the mixed emotions, stating, “It was happy because we won but it’s sad because it’s the last time we are playing here.”

The Panthers’ victory marks their second consecutive win in the opening round of the postseason. Following this win, they faced Clarinda in the Region 4 semifinals on March 7, 2024, with results pending at the time of publication. For live updates, follow @crestonnews and @larrypeterson on X.