(Seguin) — The Navarro Lady Panther volleyball team got an opening night win in the debut of new head coach Paige Poth on Monday night at Goldie Harris Gym.
Navarro (1-0) took down Seguin (0-1) in straight sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19.
The Lady Panthers were able to use their tall front line at the net to control much of the match. Sophomore Rylee Smith along with the sister combination of junior Morgan Helms and senior Taylor Helms were active both offensively and defensively on the night. The trio combined for a number of kills and drop shots.
Poth credited both Helms sisters and Smith along with their teammates for their effort in the victory.
“Taylor’s a big outside for us. She can change up the ball. She can be a big hit and pound the ball down or she can be a big tip and throw off their defense. She’s a great swing up there, very smart,” Poth said. “Our middles are a big presence and whenever they’re involved, it holds the defense’s middle so it opens up our pins. So, when you have Brooklyn (Fox) and Rylee up there holding the other middle that leaves Taylor and Kate Wozniak with a big gap. That’s good for our offense. They do a great job.”
For the Lady Matadors, junior setter Karina Lerma, senior outside hitter Keighly Dailey and freshman middle blocker Rebekah Wilke had strong games in defeat. Seguin will look to rebound later this week when they play in a tournament in Pearland starting on Thursday.
The Lady Panthers will be back in action today over at Navarro High School for a couple of matches. Navarro will take on Victoria West and Pieper. The first match is set at 2 O’clock followed by their second match at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Marion Bulldog volleyball team will start their season tonight in Poteet. That match will start at 7 p.m. this evening at Poteet High School.