Despite Gibson injury, Panthers soar to 7-0

Porterville 11, Tulare Western 7

Panthers coach Kurt Nielsen didn’t enter Wednesday’s round two EYL match with the Mustangs oozing confidence, especially after losing top player Shiloah Gibson for the match following an extremely rare incident.

Gibson was picking up balls after Tuesday’s practice when a ball drilled her in the eye.

“You could stand there 10,000 times and not get hit there,” Nielsen said.

But the rest of his team picked up the slack.

Still unbeaten Alecia Gonzales teamed with doubles partner Nancy Valdez to win two matches with Gonzales picking up a 6-1 third-round singles win as well.

Temporary No. 1 Nicole Ervin won her round-one match 6-2, but lost 6-0 to Western top player Brooke Hillman. Hillman also edged Nettie Roman 6-1, but the doubles went five-for-six in the first two rounds.

Larissa Clem and Alisia Scudder won 6-3, 6-0 while Brena Simpson and Quin Johnson split (6-2, 5-7).

Clem (7-5), Scudder (6-1) joined Gonzales with round-three singles wins while Valdez-Roman and Simpson-Johnson prevailed as well.

Porterville is now 7-0 in the EYL and 14-3 overall.