Panthers get close, but Marauders earn 2nd sweep

The Monache volleyball team walked away the city champions after defeating the Porterville Panthers 3-0 in three close games; 25-16, 25-22, 25-21, at Porterville High, Wednesday night.

The Marauders had easily dismissed the Panthers in their fist meeting this season in three games, but had a tougher time putting away the cross-town rivals this time around.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the girls. They played with so much heart and so much class,” Panthers coach Nikki Henderson said. “Monache is a really good volleyball team and every other time we had played them, it really wasn’t too close.”

Porterville had led for the majority of the third game when Monache, which was down by four, 16-12, reeled off six straight points to up two. The two rivals fought for every point until Monache’s junior captain Madison Lawley clinched the game with a solo block.

“For us to come within a few points every single game that could have gone either way is amazing,” Henderson said. “It’s hard to lose that way, but it feels better as a coach.”

Monache senior Chandra Jones led the team with eight kills, followed shortly by Alli Clem, who racked up seven of her own. Beth Reed added 15 assists and four kills for the Marauders while Erica Richardson led the team in digs with 13.

Monache ended its regular season at 13-11 (9-3 EYL) — third place in the league — and will be heading back to the Division II playoffs.

“We will need to start from the beginning; get back to the fundamentals and really work that part of it,” Monache coach Bayani Laigo said. “As you go through the season you focus more on specific plays, but now we will need to shore up the basics.”

The Panthers (6-14, 4-8 EYL) graduate six seniors, including both captains Katie Mueller and Stephanie Haas. Mueller finished her final season at Porterville with over 260 kills and a total of 70 aces.

“I am surprised how emotional I am because we have had our ups and downs this season but I really love this team,” Henderson said. “This team has really made an impression on me. It’s been a heck of a season and I wouldn’t trade a second of it.”

The Panthers were within three of the Marauders in the first game, but Monache quickly changed gears and went on a 4-1 scoring run that left them with a 20-14 lead, forcing Porterville to call a timeout.

The break failed to slow the momentum the Marauders had built as they scored three straight to finish the game. Jones, who had missed the first rivalry game, smashed a spike through a hole in the Panthers’ defense to extend their lead to seven and Lawley followed up Jones’ kill with an ace, one of her two on the night. Jones finished the game by sending a crushing shot down the left sideline.

Monache appeared to be rolling heading into the second game but Porterville fought back and the two teams traded points until they were all tied up at 11.

“You know the rivalry is going to bring the best out of both teams,” Laigo said. “It’s all about the rivalry between these two schools, whether it’s football, water polo, or any sport.”

Reed and Clem worked together to break the tie and take a 12-11 lead over the Panthers after Clem scored on a tip that floated just over the net. Time and time again during the second game the Reed-Clem connection proved unstoppable and they would work together to score four more points in the game, including the finisher.

The Panthers, down two games, were not discouraged and through an all around team effort they jumped out to an early 6-2 lead.

Jones gave the Marauders their first lead at 10-9 by threading a shot between two Panther defenders but Monache relinquished its lead on the following serve by missing a serve. Porterville was unable to fend off the rallying Marauders for much longer and eventually gave up the lead after being tied at 16. Monache stepped up and won eight of the following 13 points.

Check Monday’s Recorder to see each Orange Belt team’s playoff draw.