MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – After finishing the past two seasons as the Northern Section CIF Division VII champions, the Maxwell Panthers are moving up in 2023. Come playoff time, they will compete against Division VI schools, including perennial contenders Fall River and Redding Christian.
Still, the current Panther squad should be able to challenge for the crown given its veteran makeup and schedule against mostly upper division opponents, both of which coach Ashley Krug sees as positives.
“Six of our seven returners are seniors, and this group is extremely familiar with each other and our system,” said Krug, who is in her fourth year at the helm. “We went to Feather River’s camp this summer and did well against bigger schools and we also play up in our league, so we should be alright.”
Leading the team this year will be two seniors and All-Mid-Valley League selections from a season ago, Bailee Haywood and Emma Hendrix, both of whom can hold their own against any level of North State competition.
Haywood, who anchors the back row as the libero, averaged a team-high 11 digs and nine service receptions per match, then additionally served 64 aces, while Hendrix, who sets and alternately plays middle, registered 164 assists, 114 kills and 88 aces.
Three other battle-tested seniors, Ava Barrett, Ryann Dennis, and Kennidy Moss, who delivered a combined 159 kills in 2022, will fill the outside positions on the attack. Fellow senior, Shelby Dunlap, returns as a setter in the 6-2 rotation, having dished out 111 assists last year.
In the middle, the Panthers have junior Fatima Cano, a six-footer, who, a season ago, was tops on the team with 136 kills and 26 blocks, and, after working on her game over the summer, looks to figure prominently again. Junior Najeli Gomez and sophomore Lylah Barrett will also join the attack as they make their varsity debuts.
On defense, Moss, who recorded 140 digs and 127 returns in 2022, will be counted upon to replicate her performance, while incoming juniors Allie Wells and Jocelyn Rolon will see time in the back row as well.
Solid at all six positions, the Panthers, 23-7 overall last season, should be entertaining to watch as they contend with defending champion, Williams, and second place, Hamilton City, for control in the MVL.
However, the postseason could be just as interesting should the Panthers have an opportunity to face two-time reigning Division VI champion Fall River. As such, look for this experienced and scrappy group of competitors to once again do Maxwell proud.
The Panthers had matches on Aug. 15 and 17 against Pierce and Williams respectively and will travel to Durham for its Elmeretta Brown Tournament on Saturday.
