(Photo by Joe Watson)
North Lamar senior Libby Jones trying to push the ball across the net Tuesday against Texas High.

Coming into Tuesday’s game with Texas High, the North Lamar Pantherettes had a record of 7-2. Looking to build on the success they saw at the Tyler Tournament over the weekend, North Lamar welcomed a 5A team to Lamar County. Just like last a year ago when these two teams played, they needed five sets to determine the outcome. This time it was the visitors walking away the victory 25-22, 13-25, 25-18, 16-25, 7-15.

The first set went back-and-forth with the largest lead being five once time by North Lamar (13-8). That lead quickly evaporated though as Texas High scored six straight points. North Lamar eventually regained control of the set before winning 25-22.

The second set was a different story, however. After taking a 1-0 lead, North Lamar watched the visiting team rattle off 14 of the next 16 points to jump out 14-3. Every time the Pantherettes had, what appeared to be, a kill for a point Texas High’s defense would make a play to save the rally and get the point.

Set three almost mirrored set one for North Lamar. The difference being North Lamar took control of the match early and maintained a six to eight point advantage for most of the set. It was Libby Jones that got the rally going from the service line. With the game tied at five, Jones served six straight times for North Lamar.

Unfortunately for North Lamar, sets four and five were too reminiscent of set two. Texas High’s scrappy defense proved to be the difference maker as they won both sets rather easily.

Here are the stats for North Lamar:
Logan Dority: 6 kills, 2 blocks
Lauren Dority: 7 kills, 2 blocks
Natalie Washington: 3 kills, 2 blocks
Libby Jones: 8 kills, 4 blocks
Roselyn Spencer: 5 kills,