The Alba-Golden Lady Panthers began their 2021 volleyball campaign with a split of two matches last Tuesday. The Lady Panthers fell to Crossroads in four sets and came back to defeat Cumberland Academy in five.

There are significant positive indicators which were evident in early action against Crossroads. Most notably is the amount of activity the team demonstrated. There were certainly many mistakes made, yet the Lady Panthers never stopped trying to execute their offense. 

This team fortitude likely contributed to the first match loss, but volleyball requires repetition and early in the season, repetition generates errors. 

Conversely, the team could have simply played defense and would have likely taken the initial match against Crossroads. However, at season outset, the Lady Panthers require the repetition to “find the right chemistry,” as head coach Jamie Webster admitted.  

The team mixes varsity returnees Kaylee Anglin, Cacie Lennon, Skylar West and Kamrin Wright with newcomers Sara Hodges, Erin Langston, Alyssa Murdock, Kalli Trimble, and Alexis Wilmut. 

The second notable aspect of the Lady Panthers’ game was movement. The volleyballers were never caught not moving, although at times players were not entirely sure of exactly where they should move. In the initial match, Alba-Golden gave up four points which could be directly attributed to miscommunication – not to be unexpected in the first match of the season.

The Lady Panthers steadily built a lead in game one and weathered a late surge by Crossroads. A great save by Kalli Trimble on a long volley broke the opponent’s run, and Alba-Golden recorded the opening game 25-22.

Game two reversed rolls with Crossroads holding the edge throughout. The Lady Panthers had a great chance to take control after Wright served up three consecutive aces, but they could not maintain momentum, falling 21-25.

Game three was the height of frustration for Alba-Golden, as many closely-missed scoring opportunities were left begging. Frustration ensued and Crossroads ran away with game three.

The offense began to click in game four. Anglin, Lennon, Trimble and West combined for seven kills while Anglin contributed three aces and Lennon two. Turns of the game gave Crossroads a close win and the match.

The Lady Panthers had a quick breather and went back to work. They found some of that chemistry,  taking the Cumberland Lady Knights to a fifth set.  As the hour drew late, Alba-Golden recorded their first (and possibly most important) win of the year.  

Coach Webster’s charges will next be in action this weekend at the Hughes Springs Tourney. The Lady Panthers home-opener will be Friday, Aug. 27 when they host Mineola. Varsity action will commence at 4:30.