The Pana Panthers continued their unbeaten run Wednesday night, taking care of Vandalia in straight sets, 25-16, 25-14, to improve to a perfect 23-0 on the season and 4-0 in conference play.
Pana entered the matchup at 22-0 after surviving a three-set battle against Highland earlier in the week. Against Vandalia, the Panthers needed only two sets to add another victory to their undefeated season.
The Panthers opened the night with a 25-16 victory in the first set, establishing control and putting Vandalia in an early 1-0 hole. Pana continued to apply pressure in the second, holding the Vandals to 14 points and closing out the match with a 25-14 win.
Pana received a balanced offensive effort, led by Phoenix Pope, who finished with a team-high six kills while also recording three blocks. Adi Blodgett added five kills and was a major factor from the service line, recording three aces and 12 service points.
Gemma Armstrong contributed three kills, an ace and seven service points, while Addasyn Casner and Brooke Cox each added a kill.
Cox helped direct the Panthers’ attack with a team-high 13 assists. Bella Bennett and Rowan Lynch each added an assist, with Bennett also contributing two aces and a block.
Pana’s serving helped keep Vandalia under pressure throughout the match. Along with Blodgett’s three aces, Bennett recorded two, while Armstrong and Lynch each added one. Lynch finished with four service points and two digs, while Blodgett added a dig.
The win marked Pana’s second straight-set victory over Vandalia this season. The Panthers also defeated the Vandals in two sets earlier in the year, 26-24 and 25-10.
Most importantly for Pana, the perfect season remains intact. At 23-0, the Panthers continue to build on an impressive undefeated campaign while also remaining unbeaten through four conference matches.
FINAL: Pana def. Vandalia, 2-0
Set 1: Pana 25, Vandalia 16
Set 2: Pana 25, Vandalia 14
