NORTH HOPKINS- The North Hopkins Lady Panthers hosted Alba-Golden Friday for their first in a pair of matches against each other this season. Coming off a loss to Boles in their last game, the Lady Panthers were looking to get back into the win column.
The match opened with a tight first set, setting the tone for how the rest of the game would go. North Hopkins did their best to stay in it, but lost the first set by a score of 25-19.
In the second set the Lady Panthers were able to shift the momentum in their direction, taking the set by the same score of 25-19. The third set saw the same score once again, this time in favor of Alba-Golden, putting them ahead 2-1.
Needing a win in the fourth set to keep their hopes alive, North Hopkins answered back with a strong outing. Things stayed close once again, but the Lady Panthers pulled it out by a score of 25-20 to for a fifth and deciding set.
The final set was the closest of the night and even required extra time. Despite their best efforts to come out on top, North Hopkins fell 16-14 to give Alba-Golden the five-set win.
Natalie Perry led the way offensively for North Hopkins, finishing with 12 kills. Hadlee Hrable and Sarah Attaway were next with eight kills each. Sailan Adair had a strong showing as well, finishing with seven kills and a pair of blocks.
Kelty Conner set things up for North Hopkins, finishing with 10 assists and two aces. Mattie Pogue had four blocks and one kill, while Harley Vaughn had five points.
The junior varsity team pulled out the win for North Hopkins. They took the first set 25-12 before losing the second set 25-22. The Lady Panthers junior varsity team won the third set 25-9 to win the game. Emily Garcia led the way with 16 points.