(Geronimo) – Navarro had a short turnaround between the conclusion of the Wimberley Tournament on Saturday and Monday’s home match against San Antonio Christian, but the Panthers were up to the task in a 3-1 win that moved their home record to 4-0 on the young season.
Navarro controlled the first set 25-17 before stumbling to a 25-14 loss in the second game.
The Panthers came storming back to win the third and fourth sets 25-12, 25-17 after a stern message from head coach Bernic Voigt.
“More intensity, get it back together, play with some heart, talk to each other, quit messing around,” Voigt said. “We’ve got to play tougher from the start, and not go out just thinking it’s going to be a cakewalk when it’s not. Respect your opponent.”
Elizabeth Williams put away 10 kills and a service ace to lead Navarro’s offensive attack. Hannah Reitz added four, and Taylor Helms finished with three.
Kate Wozniak set for 15 assists and sent four aces over the net. Tatum Harborth contributed six assists.
Terryn Wallace collected four digs and an ace. Helms recorded two blocks.
Navarro used a 12-2 run to build a 16-9 lead in the third set, SAC scored three straight points to make it 16-12, and the Panthers responded with nine unanswered to close it out, with Berklee Andrews serving on the final eight of those points.
The Lions hung around for a stretch in the fourth set, trailing 13-12, but the Panthers strung seven consecutive points together to take control.
Voigt credited Andrews and Wallace for stepping into leadership roles on a veteran team with six seniors.
“Berklee’s a go-to, I’m not afraid for her to serve, Terryn has to take a new position as libero this year after we graduated Nelly (Brumley), and she’s stepping it up,” the coach said.
“She’s still working on getting there and learning different things, but she’s getting there. The seniors have done a great job of picking each other up. I have six seniors, and I have some that are on the bench still being positive to the people out there playing, and helping everybody go.”
The win over SAC came after a 4-2 weekend at the Wimberley Tournament. The Panthers secured the Silver Bracket championship with a 2-0 Saturday, sweeping Davenport and Fredericksburg in two sets apiece.
Navarro (8-2) competes in the Bastrop Tournament this Thursday – Saturday.