COLUSA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – Since falling in their home opener to Pierce, the Panthers have been on a tear, winning their next six matches without dropping a set.
Against Pierce, Maxwell came out like a house afire, but as the match progressed, the Panthers struggled to stay in system and ultimately succumbed to the Bears 25-18, 19-25, 16-25, 19-25.
Maxwell’s two middles were effective in the loss with Emma Hendrix notching 10 kills and hitting at a .353 clip, while Fatima Cano recorded nine kills and finished with a .571 hitting percentage.
Libero Bailee Haywood made a game-high 28 digs to lead the defense and got support in the back row from Allie Wills and Kennidy Moss, who tallied 12 and 11 digs, respectively. Also pitching in was setter Shelby Dunlap, who handed out 10 assists.
In its second preseason match of the week, Maxwell accomplished something they couldn’t do in four tries last year, which was beat county rival Williams.
However, the Panthers turned the tables in the first meeting between the two squads this season, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-14, 25-19, 26-24.
Hendrix and Cano once again led the attack with six kills apiece, while Haywood logged 10 digs.
To round out the week Maxwell traveled to Durham’s Elmeretta Brown Tournament where it ran the table to capture the championship and served notice that they can more than compete with bigger Northern Section schools. Haywood, Hendrix, and Cano were named to the All-Tournament team.
This week is another busy one for Panthers (6-1) as they hosted Paradise Adventist Academy on Aug. 22, made the trip to Esparto on Aug. 24, before heading to Los Molinos for the Beth Pilger Invitational Tournament on Aug. 26.
