Looking to bounce back after a tough road loss to Miramonte last week, the Lady Dons wanted to come out strong to get back to their winning ways on Tuesday night. They definitely did come out strong in set 1, wanting to make a statement. Although their season long serving issue still reared its ugly head in the first set and throughout the match, the Lady Dons came out hot. #16 Emme Seelenbacher had well-placed ace along with an awesome net ace that rolled over for a point.
#9 Piper Coy crushed a couple kills to keep Benicia on its heels. #12 Addy Treter contributed with a kill as well. #13 Addi Ames smoked a kill off a great Emme set to give us an early sizable lead. #17 Sophia Terry also had a couple of kills from the middle spot to increase our lead. #15 Kylah Rose Fox, coming off an injury, came in and had a few beautiful serves to help close out the set, 25-15. Welcome back Kylah!!
In set 2, Benicia fought hard to comeback. Looking for their first league win on the season, the Panthers fought hard, diving and digging their way to multiple points. #8 Rena Liu came in to serve and gave the home team some killer aces to help the Dons keep pace. #1 Jade Profilio also entered the court to serve and didn’t disappoint with an ace of her own. #7 Maelin Mason smoked a kill from the back row to show the Panthers we came to play. #10 Annie Baker had a well-timed roof block to gain the Dons another point. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Panther took set #2, 22-25, evening the match in sets 1-1.
In set 3, Addy Treter, blocked a shot from the visitors giving us a point. Piper had multiple kills, as it’s her trademark, to increase the lead for the Lady Dons. Addi Ames also had a strong kill from a smooth set from Emme to help the home team. Jade had one of her signature aces to gain another point. It again wasn’t enough as the Panthers won set 3, 18-25, taking a 2-1 lead in sets.
In set 4, the Dons needed to win to force a 5th set. The visiting Benicia Panthers had other ideas and really wanted that first league win. You could tell from their effort and scrambling that it really would be a big win for them. Addy Treter had a cool ace. Annie crushed a kill that eluded the defense. Rena continued her phenomenal serving with a couple more aces. MaeLin contributed with another kill. It just wasn’t enough as Benicia beat the Dons in the 4th set 19-25 to win the match as well.
