By Staff
By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — The Northside seniors went out in style as Amanda Beirne, Kayla Cerny and Cameron Waters led the Panthers’ volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Roanoke on Tuesday’s Senior Night.
Though Northside won in three straight sets, the Redskins gave the Panthers a run for their money in each, falling 25-18, 25-22, 25-22.
The Panthers were still plagued by inconsistent play throughout the game, but when it counted, they were able to step up and close out Roanoke.
While Northside was able to step up in clutch situations, the same could not be said for the Redskins.
Led by Emoni Jones and Treasure Draughn, Roanoke played well for stretches, but became unglued late in the matches.
Redskins coach Darryl Pittman said that type of play has been a reoccurring theme this season.
In the first match, the Redskins were able to stay competitive, but could never get over the hump and trailed for most of the match.
The Panthers’ Savanna Boyd helped create some separation when her four straight service points helped the team go on a 5-1 run that ended with Northside holding an 18-12 lead. The Redskins rallied back, but eventually fell 25-18.
In the second game, Jamie Respess’ back-to-back aces gave Northside an early 8-4 lead, but the feisty Redskins struck back.
Led by Kierra Lands, Roanoke went on 8-3 run to take a 16-15 lead, when Northside’s Jordan Cooke closed the door on its rally.
A Cooke ace helped recapture the lead, and helped ignite a 7-2 run, making the score 24-17 Northside.
Cooke and Respess served well all day for the Panthers, and Wagaman said their effort was critical.
The Redskins made one last run and closed the gap to 24-22, but could not close out the game.
The third match followed the same pattern as the second one, and midway through the times were locked at 14.
A booming Jones kill gave the Redskins their biggest lead of the night and put them up 19-15.
At 22-18, Roanoke looked as if it was going to pull out a win, but two Panthers’ aces, followed by two Beirne kills tied the match at 22.
From there, the Panthers scored the next three points to take the win.
Wagaman said the play of her seniors was vital in capturing a Senior Night win.
The Panthers (8-9) will be back in action on Thursday when they play at Southside, while the Redskins (2-18) will play today at Camden.