The Pana Panthers continued their unbeaten start to the 2026 volleyball season Tuesday night, surviving a late push from the Vandalia Vandals before taking complete control in the second set to earn a two set sweep on the road.
With the victory, Pana improves to 4-0 on the season and has yet to drop a set through its first four matches.
The Panthers appeared to be in control for much of the opening set. Pana built a 14-7 advantage before extending its lead to 21-15 as it moved within striking distance of taking an early lead in the match.
Vandalia, however, refused to go quietly.
The Vandals began chipping away at the deficit, pulling within 21-19 before eventually erasing Pana’s advantage altogether and tying the set at 23-23. What had been a comfortable Panther lead suddenly turned into a battle that required extra points.
Pana remained composed under the late pressure. With the set hanging in the balance, the Panthers found the points they needed and escaped the opener with a 26-24 victory.
The second set was a much different story.
Pana quickly established control, jumping ahead 7-4 before stretching the advantage to 11-5. From there, the Panthers continued to separate themselves from Vandalia, using extended scoring runs and consistent play to build a commanding 19-6 lead.
Unlike the opening set, there would be no Vandalia comeback.
Pana closed out the second set 25-10, completing the straight-set victory and another impressive performance during its undefeated start.
The Panthers’ varsity rotation featured contributions from MacKenzie Banning, Gemma Armstrong, Rowan Lynch, Adi Blodgett, Megan Hudelson, Brooke Cox, Addie Anderson, Bella Bennett, Brooke McKinney, Addasyn Casner, Phoenix Pope and Payson Ashcraft. Senior captains Bennett and Pope continued to provide veteran leadership for a Pana squad that has been nearly flawless through the opening stretch of its schedule.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Pana’s 4-0 start has been its consistency. Four matches into the season, the Panthers have not only avoided a loss — they have yet to surrender a single set.
Tuesday’s match also showed two different sides of the Panthers. Pana demonstrated its composure by holding off Vandalia’s comeback attempt in a tight opening set, then showed its ability to dominate by pulling away for a 15-point victory in the second.
The result keeps Pana’s perfect start intact as the Panthers continue building momentum early in the 2026 campaign.
FINAL: Pana def. Vandalia, 2-0
Set 1: Pana 26, Vandalia 24
Set 2: Pana 25, Vandalia 10
Pana Record: 4-0 — No sets lost
