Facing unfamiliar position, Lady Panthers squander leads as West Point sweeps volleyball match
One thing about programs that continue to improve is how to handle situations that they haven’t encountered before. Such was the case for Charles City’s Lady Panthers Monday night.
Charles City saw two leads squander late in two sets, resulting in the visiting West Point Lady Pointers emerging victorious over the hosts 10-25, 22-25, 24-26.
After West Point coasted to the first set victory, Charles City started making adjustments and playing better defensively. Successful digs and forcing Lady Pointer errors at the net assisted the hosts to a 20-18 late in the second set. A service error followed by score tied the game at 20 apiece. West Point added two more points before Charles City’s Nina Cannada’s tap found a vacancy on the floor. Along with another score, Charles City tied the game at 22 all. But the visitors strung together three crucial rallies, all resulting in points and allowing them to capture the second frame.
In the third set, Charels City jumped out early with crisper serves and aces, taking an 8-3 lead. West Point battled back, using a run of their own and gaining a two-point advantage (19-17) in the third set.
The Lady Panthers countered, taking a 7-1 run to bring themselves within one score (24-20) and sending the game to another set. But West Point’s Alexis Blackwell serves would spark the visitors, as they rallied with six consecutive points and closed out the match.
Charles City fell to 4-14 on the season. The Lady Panthers concluded their regular season Tuesday night with a record of 4-15 after falling in straight sets to the King William Lady Cavaliers.