The Alba-Golden Lady Panthers share their district with two ranked volleyball teams. They traveled to Como-Pickton last Tuesday to face one of them, the Lady Eagles.

When facing a very good volleyball team, it is almost natural that there is a bit of a shock at the outset. The Lady Panthers had to weather that phenomenon. They went down 7-0 before a Lainey Teel kill got them in the scorebook.

Como-Pickton used their center blocker to great effect and generated most of the offense in the match through that position. The Lady Eagles opened a sizable margin before the Lady Panthers went on a five-point run. A block by Bailee Bishop and three aces by Cacie Lennon closed the gap.

The Lady Eagles responded and took game one 25-14. Alba-Golden began to limber-up early in game two. Emphatic scores by Hailey Crutchfield and Kalli Trimble highlighted the early going. But Alba-Golden lagged Como-Pickton throughout the game, falling 25-14. Como-Pickton sensed a quick match win and start- ed the third set aggressively. The Lady Eagles were fly- ing high and became a bit too much enamored with themselves. With the score 24-7, Alba-Golden reminded their hosts just how fleeting a large lead can be.

The Lady Panthers ripped off seven straight points. The action included drop shots by Trimble and Crutchfield and a Trimble block which ended the longest volley of the night. It also involved a run of alert, active defense.

The Lady Panthers are .500 on the year and battling some sharp teams in district play. Their present district standing doesn’t accurately reflect the level of play they are capable of.

After visiting North Hopkins Tuesday, the Lady Panthers host Fruitvale Friday, game time 4:30 p.m.