ROYALS BOUNCE VISITING PANTHERS

By John Baza

Girl’s volleyball action continued at the ND Royals gym Friday night as the Royals looked to defend their home against the visiting Guam High Panthers. It was a showdown that saw both teams trade the lead periodically, but it was the Royals who would prevail winning in both sets (25-17, 25-19).

The home team Royals jumped to a quick 3-0 lead in the first set, but eventually found themselves tied up at 5-all after Guam High’s Harmony Yatar found a hole in the defense.

The Royals quickly found themselves taking the advantage (10-7) after a pair of kills from Destiny Castro and a kill from Sherri Stanley.

Guam High did not let down however, as Lianna Bloom was able to serve up a couple of aces to help her team take the lead (11-13).

Castro kept her team in it with another pair of kills until they eventually found themselves tied up again (15-15).

With the Royals being the aggressors for majority of the match, Guam High found themselves on the defensive end more often.

Keeping composure, Guam High was able to keep the ball alive after their libero picked up two straight hits that they were able to gain a point off of.

The Royals didn’t seem fazed, as they were able to rally off the attack of Castro and Stanley in the final plays before Stanley hammered in the set-winning kill (25-17).

Second set

Opening up the second set were ND’s Kristi Stone, but once again the Panthers tied it up at 4-all after a serve from Victoria Miller.

Both teams were neck-and-neck throughout the first few plays, but it was Guam High’s Britney Bailey who was able to spike one in off the nice quick set play (6-7).

But the Royals took the lead after another nice kill from Stanley and a line hit from Castro (10-8).

Wendy’s player of the game Sherri Stanley

Both teams lit up the court with back and forth action, exciting both crowds with the intensity of the plays before they were one again tied up at (15-15).

A kill from Guam High’s Aubrey Taimanglo was quickly countered by a block from the Royals’ 23 and 24 (18-15).

ND’s Demie Brennan followed up with a kill (19-16) which was complimented by a strong hit off the blockers of Guam High on the ensuing play.

Stanley’s consistent attack from the middle was on display in the closing plays as she hammered another one in (22-17). “I like to switch it up and do a lot of quicks, I like to change it up a lot so the other side doesn’t know what to expect”, said Stanley on her performance.

Teammate Castro got the corner kill as the Royals were able to fend off the Panthers (25-19).

“We did good tonight, but I feel like we can do a little better. We just need to work out some things in practice and really show what we got by the end of the season”, replied Castro on her team’s performance and expectations.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

The Panthers react to a ball that barely breaks the plane. (photo by Rock Anciano)

The Panthers celebrate after scoring an ace against the Royals. (photo by Rock Anciano)

ND Royals Kristi Stone awaits her teams serve in the 1st set. (photo by Rock Anciano)