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North Hopkins senior Raylee Mathis goes for a kill in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to Mount Vernon. Mathis led the Lady Panthers with 18 points in the game, including 17 kills, five aces and a pair of blocks. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
Mathis leads team with 18 points
NORTH HOPKINS—The North Hopkins Lady Panthers fell short to the Mount Vernon Lady Tigers in five sets Tuesday night at home. The Lady Panthers have now lost their last three contests.
The Mount Vernon Lady Tigers started the night off strong, taking a 2-1 lead in the opening set and never giving the lead back. Things got as close as 15-14, but North Hopkins was never able to take the lead, losing the first set, 25-21.
North Hopkins answered back in the second set when they took a late 17-16 lead. The Lady Panthers scored four unanswered points to widen the gap, going on to take the second set, 25-19.
Mount Vernon was able to build their lead in the third set to as much as 18- 12, before North Hopkins answered back with a 8-1 run to take the lead, 20-19. The Lady Panthers finished the set strong and were able to take the set, 25-21.
Looking to avoid being put away, Mount Vernon scored the first five points of the fourth set and never looked back. The Lady Tiger ran away with the lead and kept the match alive by taking the set, 25-16.
In the fifth and final set, Mount Vernon opened things by scoring six consecutive points. North Hopkins was able to cut the deficit down to 6-3, but the Lady Tigers put the match away, taking the set, 15-10, and the match, 3-2.
Raylee Mathis put up a strong outing for the Lady Panthers, leading the team with 18 points. Mathis had 17 kills, five aces and a pair of blocks in the 3-2 loss. Just behind her was Abigail Whaley who had 15 points and six aces.
Setting things up for the Lady Panthers was senior Kortni Ferrell. Ferrell had an impressive 28 assists in the match and was able to provide nine points of her own, including one ace serve.
The loss gives North Hopkins a 3-5 record on the season. Coverage of their Friday matchup against PTTA will be published in upcoming editions of the News-Telegram.