Panthers continue strong season with win over Clovers

CLOVERDALE — Sometimes a team's record can be deceiving. It was not on Tuesday night as the Riverton Parke Panthers came in with an impressive 11-3 record on the season and took down the Cloverdale Clovers in straight sets 25-15, 25-14, 25-11.

In the first set, the Clovers were able to stay within reach. Riverton Parke had the stronger offense, but was making errors.

After an ace from Jacie Neese, the Clovers were within two at 10-8. The Panthers' trio of hitters continued to attack and finally pulled away to win set one 25-15, finishing on a kill from Annie Campbell.

In set two, Cloverdale’s defense was able to help build a lead. The Clovers would hold as much as a four-point advantage. Riverton Parke regrouped and went on several mini scoring runs, scoring the final nine of the set, including a pair of kills from Kenzie Nowicki put the set away 25-14.

The Panthers did not mess around in the third set, jumping out quickly 11-4. They slowly pulled away, continuing with the offensive barrage. This time they did not let the Clovers hang around and won convincingly 25-11.

Though not showing up in the win column, the Clovers are showing improvement and are getting more confident.

“We have really found our rotation we are comfortable with. We are communicating a lot better, especially tonight," Clover coach Paige Glassburn said.

Cloverdale will take the court again Thursday night, when it will travel to Cayuga to take on another WRC opponent in North Vermillion. They will return home the following week. The Panthers moved to 12-3 on the season.

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Kills - (CL) Smith 2, McSwine 1, Lee 1, Frye 1; (RP) Nowicki 11, Lesniak 9, Campbell 9, Inman 4, Elder 3, Melvin 2, Keller-Thomas 1

Blocks - (RP) Nowicki 1, Elder 1

Aces - (CL) Neese 1, Lee 1; (RP) Mathas 4, Lesniak 2, Nowicki 1, Batty 1, Nelson 1