Panthers Edge Saintes in Thrilling Volleyball Showdown, 3-2
UPDATE: In a nail-biting showdown, the Creston Panthers triumphed over the St. Albert Saintes, winning 3-2 in a thrilling volleyball match on October 12, 2023. The game, held at Creston High School during the Pink Out night for breast cancer awareness, kept fans on the edge of their seats for nearly two hours.
The Panthers surged ahead with two close-set victories, winning 26-24 and 25-23. However, the Saintes fought back, evening the score by capturing sets three and four, 25-22 and 25-20. The match culminated in an intense fifth set, where Creston and St. Albert battled fiercely to reach 15 points.
In the decisive fifth set, St. Albert initially took the lead at 4-1. Yet, fueled by strong performances from Hope Henderson and kills leader Jaycee Hanson, who recorded an impressive 21 kills, the Panthers clawed back to tie the match at 4-4. Creston managed to take a brief lead at 14-11, but St. Albert leveled the score again at 14-14 and 15-15.
The tension reached its peak when Creston regained the serve at 16-15. On a critical serve from Henderson, senior Braylee Pokorny executed a perfectly timed tip, landing the winning point at 17-15. This victory sparked a jubilant celebration among the student section.
“It was a hard tip,” Pokorny said. “I had put it there four times and they could not seem to get to it. We kept our composure and we all stayed together.”
Creston’s coach, Naomi Sharp, praised the team’s resilience and improvement in their gameplay. “Braylee got most of her kills on those tips to the setter defense that was open for her tonight,” Sharp noted. “She’s getting so much more confidence in herself. As a team, our mental game has come so far in the last year.”
The win elevates the Panthers to a record of 10-9 for the season and 5-4 in Hawkeye Ten play, marking their first time above .500 this late in the season since 2015. Setter Kadley Bailey contributed significantly with 52 assists, 11 kills, and 14 digs, showcasing the team’s enhanced efficiency compared to earlier in the season.
“We’ve really cleaned up our serving game,” Bailey remarked. “We have less and less serving errors.” The Panthers demonstrated this with a series of successful serves, including two aces from libero Avery Staver, who tallied 22 digs during the match.
Creston’s blocking and hitting have also improved, with Pokorny and Henderson pushing each other to excel. “Me and Hope practice with each other and work on how to fix things, so we’re both improving at the same time,” Pokorny explained.
The Saintes also showcased impressive talent, particularly from juniors Brooklynn Rutledge and Naomi Sherrill, who each recorded 25 kills. However, the Panthers’ defensive strategy proved effective, with coach Sharp noting their ability to adapt throughout the game.
Looking ahead, the Panthers aim to continue their momentum as they conclude their conference schedule at home against Glenwood on October 19. They will also open Class 3A regional play at home on October 21 against Centerville, with the winner facing either Clarinda or Chariton.
With three wins in their last four matches, the Panthers are carving a path forward in the season. Fans will be eagerly watching as Creston continues to build on this thrilling victory.
